National Nutrition Month: Tip #21

Go veg. Try to make two lunches and at least one dinner each week vegetarian. This will help you cut back on animal products while increasing plant proteins. Plant based foods are low in calories and rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, all of which Americans don’t get nearly enough of. Most animal products can be high in saturated fat, cholesterol and calories. Try adding more beans, legumes, soy products, nuts and seeds to your meals. Even eggs, dairy products and fish can be good alternatives to eating meat and poultry all the time. If nothing else, at least try to eat less than 6 ounces of red meat per week due to the very strong link between red meat consumption and increased risk for certain types of cancers.

Emily Fonnesbeck RD,CD