MYNIPPON

Like a lot of the things that the government does, the nutrition guidelines are definitely late by several years and I am still concerned that some people will take the excellent suggestions with a lot of cynicism calling it interference in the lives of Americans, but I strongly suggest that you follow these suggestions because it is not only good for you, but also for your loved ones (trust me, the people who love you now, won’t really love you with the same enthusiasm if you were so sick that you were as good as vegetable).  Here are the suggestions:

1. Drink water instead of bottled beverages.  And I can add that tap water is fine because bottled water is no better and causes enormous environmental damage.
2. Obviously fruit juices are better but only if the juice is freshly squeezed at home.  Again, while they are healthier options, they should be drunk in moderation because they contain sugar.
3. Fill your plate with fruits and veggies and if you do eat an animal or fish, that should be like a side dish.
4. Either eliminate or significantly cut back processed foods that tend to be rich in artificial ingredients, fat, sodium, and sugar.  My principle is not to eat anything that only requires opening a box and then reheating it.  To the extent possible, I try to make my meals from scratch.
5. And finally — this is the most important one — EAT LESS.  Yes, not only are we eating richer food lacking in fruits/vegetables, we are also eating way too much.  The way to control this is to eat on small plates, avoid eating out (and if you do, order just an appetizer or split the main course with a companion, or bring half of it home, and definitely just order one course), and watch what you eat.