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A healthy lifestyle involves many choices. Among them, choosing a balanced diet or healthy eating plan.

So how do you choose a healthy eating plan? Let’s begin by defining what a healthy eating plan is.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-20, a healthy eating plan:

• Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products

• Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts

• Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium) and added sugars

• Stays within your daily calorie needs.

A healthy eating plan that helps you manage your weight includes a variety of foods you may not have considered.

If “healthy eating” makes you think about the foods you can’t have, try refocusing on all the new foods you can eat:

• Fresh, frozen or canned fruits: Don’t think just apples or bananas. All fresh, frozen or canned fruits are great choices. Be sure to try some “exotic” fruits, too. How about a mango? Or a juicy pineapple or kiwi fruit? When your favorite fresh fruits aren’t in season, try a frozen, canned or dried variety of a fresh fruit you enjoy. One caution about canned fruits is that they may contain added sugars or syrups. Be sure to choose canned varieties of fruit packed in water or in their own juice.

• Fresh, frozen or canned vegetables: Try something new. You may find that you love grilled vegetables or steamed vegetables with an herb you haven’t tried, such as rosemary. You can sauté (pan fry) vegetables in a non-stick pan with a small amount of cooking spray. Or try frozen or canned vegetables for a quick side dish. Just microwave and serve. When trying canned vegetables, look for vegetables without added salt, butter or cream sauces. Commit to going to the produce department and trying a new vegetable each week.

• Calcium-rich foods: You may automatically think of a glass of low-fat or fat-free milk when someone says “eat more dairy products.” But what about low-fat and fat-free yogurts without added sugars? These come in a wide variety of flavors and can be a great dessert substitute for those with a sweet tooth.

• A new twist on an old favorite: If your favorite recipe calls for frying fish or breaded chicken, try healthier variations using baking or grilling. Maybe even try a recipe that uses dry beans in place of higher-fat meats. Ask around or search the Internet and magazines for recipes with fewer calories. You might be surprised to find you have a new favorite dish.

Do you have to give up my favorite comfort food? No!

Healthy eating is all about balance. You can enjoy your favorite foods even if they are high in calories, fat or added sugars. The key is eating them only once in a while, and balancing them out with healthier foods and more physical activity.

Some general tips for comfort foods:

• Eat them less often. If you normally eat these foods every day, cut back to once a week or once a month. You’ll be cutting your calories because you’re not having the food as often.

• Eat smaller amounts. If your favorite higher-calorie food is a chocolate bar, have a smaller size or only half a bar.

• Try a lower-calorie version. Use lower-calorie ingredients or prepare food differently. For example, if your macaroni and cheese recipe uses whole milk, butter and full-fat cheese, try remaking it with non-fat milk, less butter, light cream cheese, fresh spinach and tomatoes. Just remember to not increase your portion size.

For more ideas on how to cut back on calories, see Eat More Weigh Less at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/energy_density.html.

The point is, you can figure out how to include almost any food in your healthy eating plan in a way that still helps you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

Clark County Health Department provides programs for the entire family, including WIC, HANDS, family planning and well-child care/immunizations. For more information, call 859-744-4482 or visit www.clarkhealthdept.org.