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 Healhty Weight - it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle
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Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight

A healthy lifestyle involves many choices. Among them, choosing a balanced diet or eating plan. So how do you choose a healthy eating plan? Let's begin by defining what a healthy eating plan is.

photo of vegetables on a grillAccording to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a healthy eating plan:

Eat Healthfully and Enjoy It!

A healthy eating plan that helps you manage your weight includes a variety of foods you may not have considered. If "healthy eating" makes you think about the foods you can't have, try refocusing on all the new foods you can eat—

Take a look at these healthy meal plans and see what you can have!

No matter which of these plans you choose, you'll get healthy recommendations for foods you can enjoy.

Do I have to give up my favorite comfort food?

No! Healthy eating is all about balance. You can enjoy your favorite foods even if they are high in calories, fat or added sugars. The key is eating them only once in a while and balance them out with healthier foods and more physical activity.

Some general tips for comfort foods:

photo of 2 variations of macaroni and cheese, one with 540 calories and one with 315 calories

The point is, you can figure out how to include almost any food in your healthy eating plan in a way that still helps you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

Being consistently healthy in your eating choices is the key. Making the same healthy eating choices over time can lead to better eating habits. By thinking more positively and focusing on what you can have, you'll help yourself establish healthy eating habits.

Want to learn more?

Improving Your Eating Habits
To learn more about getting started and changing your eating habits.

Planning Meals
By stocking up on healthier foods that contain fewer calories, you'll be making small changes that can prepare you to be a weight-loss success story!

Cutting Calories
Ways to cut calories for your meals, snacks, and even beverages.

Healthy Recipes
Links to healthy recipes with calorie counts and nutritional information.

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Page last reviewed: June 20, 2008
Page last updated: June 20, 2008
Content Source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion