June 2007
Karen Ensle Ed.D., RD, FADA, CFCS
Family & Community Health Sciences Educator
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County
A healthy lifestyle is made up of lots of small daily choices. What we choose to eat and whether we take time to exercise, for example. This is the whole premise of the Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ program. We believe that small behavior changes can do a lot over time to improve your health and personal finances.
Below are a few ideas of small steps that you can take to improve your eating habits by choosing to do things just a little differently. This information comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Web site smallstep.gov/step_2/step2_choices.html
| If you normally... | then try this instead! |
|---|---|
| use whole or 2% milk | use fat free milk |
| drink soda | drink diet soda or 100% juice |
| eat dessert | eat fruit for dessert |
| have second helpings | put the food away as soon as you serve |
| eat big portions | eat off a smaller plate |
| eat a lot of white bread or pasta | go for a variety of whole-grain foods |
| use butter | try oils low in saturated fats |
| eat fast food on the road | pack fruits and vegetables for car rides |
| eat red meat | Prepare lean cuts of beef or pork, skinless chicken or turkey, or fish |
| snack on chips and junk food | keep fruits and veggies in the fridge instead |
| skip breakfast | try eating a healthy breakfast each day |
| fry your food | grill or roast your food instead |