When a woman wants to learn how to eat better, she can research food on the internet and enhance her nutrition education. In doing so, she will find many opinions and will likely have some confusion on what the best way for her is to eat. Some people promote vegetarianism while others promote Paleo eating. I have spent hours researching how to have a healthier life through food choices. I have found that, regardless of the specific diet chosen, there is a certain balance that is required for healthful eating.

Personal Story

When I was studying my clinical herbalist/health educator course, my instructor kept talking about the benefits of having a balanced plate. She often referred to a book called The Schwarzbein Principle, by Diana Schwarzbein, M.D. One day I was shopping for school supplies at a used bookstore. I happened to find this book on sale. I quickly decided to add it to my pile and purchased it that day. As soon as I could, I read the book. It made a lot of sense! There was so much information that helped me sift through the myriad amounts of conflicting data I found when I researched. It helped me come to a better understanding of how my body works and how to feed it properly. I learned how I needed to balance my plate at each meal.

The Healthy Eating Plate

The nutritional information I found in Schwarzbein’s book was further confirmed when I found “The Healthy Eating Plate”, which educators at Harvard designed to guide people in their eating choices. Both sources encourage people to include, at every meal, the basic good food groups of protein, vegetables, fruit, healthy fats, and starches or grains. Balancing these elements in the right proportions can help a person attain better health and maintain a healthy weight.

1. Vegetables and fruit would take up about half of the plate. Choose a rainbow of colors of fruits and vegetables. They deliver many nutrients, energy, and dietary fiber to support the body’s processes.
2. Protein would best take up a fourth of a plate. Protein is essential in the body and provides energy, growth, and immune function, among many other jobs.
3. The last fourth of a plate would contain starches or grains. When chosen well, starches and grains provide fiber, energy, vitamins, and minerals that give the body what it needs for health and vitality.
4. Healthy, undamaged fats are important for coping with stress and having clear thinking.
5. Bodies are made up of 50-75% water. Drinking enough water is necessary for many body processes to do their jobs efficiently.

“The Healthy Eating Plate” a visual overview of these nutrition concepts. You can find it at this website: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-eating-plate/

The beauty of the balanced plate is that you can apply the balance of the food groups no matter which food plan you utilize. A balanced plate is a guideline which helps us have well-nourished bodies. The result is your better health.

May God bless your healthful endeavors!

Joni

P.S. Do you have a plan for eating a balanced plate? Please encourage others by writing in the comment section above.