Healthy Lifestyle Radio Storytime

Good nutrition is a key to good health. This means making sure you regularly eat foods that contain many vitamins and minerals, like meals that are high in fat. You should drink milk every day to give your bones the calcium that strengthens. For most people foods that are high in fiber are a good option and almost everyone should eat more fruits and vegetables every day.

Do I need to change what I eat?
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you may need to talk about nutrition with your doctor.

* Has your doctor talked with you about any medical problems or risk factor such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol?
* Did your doctor tell you that this condition could be improved by better nutrition?
* Are there family members who have cancer, heart disease or osteoporosis?
* Are you overweight or have gained weight over the years?
* Do you have questions about which foods you should eat or whether you should take vitamins?
* Do you think they would benefit from seeing a nutritionist? A nutritionist is a registered dietitian who specializes in nutrition counseling.

Will it be hard to change my eating habits?

Probably, but even very small changes can improve your health considerably. The key is to try to continue eating the right foods and stay in touch with their doctor and nutritionist to let them know how you’re doing.

Here are some suggestions to help you improve your eating habits:

* Find the strong points and weak points in your current diet. Do you eat 3 to 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day? Do you get enough calcium? Do you eat high-fiber foods regularly? If so, good! You’re on the right track as well. If not, you can learn the changes you need to do.
* Make small changes slowly instead of trying to make big changes quickly. It’s easier to make small changes and stick with.
* Keep a record of a few days with all food intake by writing down what you eat and drink that day. Use this record to help you see if you need to eat more from any food groups, such as fruits, vegetables or dairy products.
* Think about asking for help from a nutritionist if you have not already done, especially if you have a medical problem that requires you to follow a special diet.

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