Adults
Healthy weight
- 58% of adults in Washoe County are overweight or obese (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2007). Use the Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator to find out where you fall on the Body Mass Index chart. BMI calculator
- While weight is not alwaysPeople with a healthy weight are at lower risk for many serious diseases including: heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes.
You can do it!
- Start a daily food diary where you write down everything you eat for several days. This will help you see what you eat, when you eat, and how much you are eating.
- Set realistic calorie, fat, and other food content goals based on nutritional recommendations, not fad diets. Visit a site like Choose My Plate for a personalized nutrition plan. Then, plan meals and snacks ahead of time to help you stick to your plan.
- Develop a group of supportive friends, family members, and co-workers who know your eating goals and can help you meet them. They may even join you!
Q & A
Q: I try to eat healthy, but I end up eating fast food several times a week because I’m so busy, and I don’t have time to cook. How can I have a good diet with limited time?
A: Lots of us are busy these days, but there are ways to eat healthy without cooking big meals. If you’re going to eat fast food, though, make healthier choices while you’re there. Most fast food restaurants now offer healthier options, such as salads, pita sandwiches, baked potatoes, and fruit. Ask for a nutritional brochure and start checking the calories, fat, and sugar contents. As you become more familiar with the food nutrition labels, you can look at other contents, too. You can also prepare “to-go” meals beforehand. A sandwich with a piece of fruit and yogurt is an easy, quick meal. A pasta salad is a great dish that can be made ahead of time and served cold. Either of these can be put in a cooler and are ready eat anytime. You’ll find that making these quick meals will help you eat healthier and save money.
Q: I’ve dieted off and on my whole life, but I never seem to lose weight. How do I know what I’m supposed to eat?
A: Eating healthy and exercising are the best ways to keep a healthy weight. Every adult is different in terms of their nutritional needs, and there’s no “one-size-fits-all” way to eat that’s guaranteed to make you lose weight. A good first step to reaching a healthy weight is to visit a reputable source for nutritional guidelines, such as www.mypyramid.gov. This site will produce a personalized eating plan for you based on healthy nutrition, not diets.
To learn more, go to...
- Choose My Plate to get nutrition tips and resources
- Fruit and Veggies More Matters for information, tips, meal planning and more
