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Health Information and Tools > Patient Care Handouts >  Eating Healthy Foods: Care Instructions

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Eating Healthy Foods: Care Instructions

An eating pattern made up of healthy foods can improve your health. Try to eat a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grain foods, and protein foods. This can help you get the right balance of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. Small changes add up over time. You can start making one change at a time.

Try to make half your plate vegetables and fruits, one-fourth whole grain foods, and one-fourth protein foods. Make water your drink of choice.

Eat more vegetables and fruits. Try to have them with most meals and snacks.

Foods for healthy eating

Vegetables

  • These can be fresh, frozen, canned, or dried.
  • Try broccoli, carrots, cabbage and leafy greens.
  • Eat a variety of colours.

Fruits

  • These can be fresh, frozen, canned, or dried.
  • Try to choose whole fruit rather than fruit juice.
  • Eat a variety of colours.

Whole grain foods

  • Choose whole grain breads, oatmeal, and pasta.
  • Try brown rice, wild rice, or quinoa.

Protein foods

  • These can include lean meat, poultry, fish, and eggs.
  • You can also choose tofu, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, and seeds.
  • Try low-fat dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese.
  • Try fortified plant-based beverages, such as soy beverage.
  • If you need to, use lactose-free milk.

Water

  • Make water your drink of choice.
  • Limit sugar-sweetened drinks, including soda, fruit drinks, and sports drinks.
For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter T756 in the search box to learn more about "Eating Healthy Foods: Care Instructions".

Adaptation Date: 06/13/2024

Adapted By: Alberta Health Services

Adaptation Reviewed By: Alberta Health Services

Adapted with permission from copyrighted materials from Ignite Healthwise, LLC (Healthwise). This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty and is not responsible or liable for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

For 24/7 nurse advice and general health information call Health Link at 811.

Adaptation Date: 06/13/2024

Adapted By: Alberta Health Services

Adaptation Reviewed By: Alberta Health Services