Learn about healthy nutrition for women of all ages, including meal planning, special health concerns to women, and what to eat during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This page contains resources and information on good nutrition for women in general. For resources pertaining to pregnancy or breastfeeding, please click here:
Women
Let's Eat for the Health of It (PDF | 1 MB)
USDA. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.
Based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, brochure provides tips for building a healthy plate, eating the right amount of calories for you, being physically active, and more.
USDA MyPlate Food Guidance System
USDA. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.
The MyPlate food guidance system replaces MyPyramid. The Daily Food Plan can help you choose the foods and amounts that are right for you.
Heart Healthy Eating from womenshealth.gov
DHHS. OWH. National Women's Health Information Center.
Having a healthy diet is sometimes easier said than done. This fact sheet provides answers to frequently asked questions on the basics of good nutrition and healthy eating. Also in PDF|220 KB.
Be Active Your Way: A Guide for Adults
DHHS. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
Based on the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, this guide can help you fit physical activity into your life for your schedule.
Sisters Together: Move More, Eat Better
DHHS. NIH. NIDDK. Weight-control Information Network.
Provides background information for the Sisters Together initiative, designed to encourage African American women to be physically active and eat healthier foods. Also provides links to other Sisters Together publications.
A Lifetime of Good Health: Your Guide to Staying Healthy
DHHS. OWH. National Women's Health Information Center.
For women, a guide to healthy behaviors to prevent and manage health conditions over the lifespan. Outlines key preventive steps for achieving lifelong health. Also in Spanish (PDF|930 KB) and Chinese (PDF|3.7 MB).
The Heart Truth
DHHS. NIH. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
A national awareness campaign for women about heart disease. Also in Spanish.
Eating Smart: A Nutrition Resource List for Consumers (PDF | 193 KB)
USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center.
This publication is a compilation of resources on general nutrition and healthy eating for the consumer. Resources are in a variety of formats, including books, newsletters, and materials on the World Wide Web.
Staying Active and Eating Healthy
DHHS. OWH. National Women's Health Information Center.
Tips for women on healthy eating and physical activity from the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition.
Girlfriends' Health and Safety Tips
DHHS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Provides tips to help you stay focused on being the best you can be for yourself and your girlfriends.
Interactive Tools
USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center.
Links to web sites that allow consumers to enter information and receive individual feedback to help with diet evaluation and planning, checking personal health risks and testing knowledge.
Black Cohosh and the Symptoms of Menopause
DHHS. NIH. Office of Dietary Supplements.
This fact sheet provides an overview of the use of black cohosh for menopausal symptoms.
Anemia - Frequently Asked Questions
DHHS. OWH. National Women's Health Information Center.
Anemia can be of special concern to women. Find out more about the signs and symptoms of anemia, and what you can do to prevent or treat it. Also in PDF|68 KB.
Anorexia Nervosa
DHHS. OWH. National Women's Health Information Center.
Provides answers to frequently asked questions about anorexia. Also links to information on bulimia and binge eating disorder, and to other organizations for more resources on eating disorders. Also in PDF|200 KB.
The DASH Eating Plan
DHHS. NIH. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Links to a brochure that discusses the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan which can lead to better control of high blood pressure.
Do CAM Therapies Help Menopausal Symptoms?
DHHS. NIH. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Fact sheet based on findings from a 2005 National Institutes of Health (NIH) State-of-the-Science (SoS) conference on the management of menopause-related symptoms. It answers some frequently asked questions and lists resources for more information. Also in PDF|347 KB.
For Your Heart!
DHHS. OWH. National Women's Health Information Center.
Based on answers to questions, this site provides women with information on nutrition, exercise, cholesterol, blood pressure and other factors related to heart health.
Healthy Women Build Healthy Communities Toolkit
DHHS. Health Resources and Services Administration.
A toolkit from the Bright Futures for Women's Health and Wellness (BFWHW) Initiative for women who want to improve the health of their communities. Resources to help women take action to help people be more physically active and eat healthier. Also in PDF|3.8 MB.
Keeping Bones Strong and Healthy: Let's Talk About Osteoporosis
DHHS. National Institutes of Health.
News in Health article that discusses osteoporosis prevention and bone preservation.
Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center
DHHS. NIH. NIAMS. Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases - National Resource Center.
Provides a gateway to general information, fact sheets, research and links to other important osteoporosis information.
Weight-control Information Network
DHHS. NIDDK. Weight-control Information Network.
Provides a gateway to information and resources on overweight, obesity, weight control and nutrition. Some publications available in Spanish.
Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ Healthy Lifestyle
USDA. Food and Nutrition Service.
Provides information on making quick, easy, healthy meals and gives tips for adding physical activity to your lifestyle. Site is specifically designed for parents and caregivers, but provides helpful information for all adults.
Folic Acid
DHHS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Provides information on folic acid (folate) and explains the importance of adequate intake, especially for pregnant women or women of child bearing age. Offers additional resources and publications. Also in Spanish.
