The food guide pyramid is simple, general plan for eating sensibly every day. You can use the pyramid to choose the right amounts of all of the foods that are essential to a well balanced diet. Following these recommendations will help ensure that you get enough protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fiber every day, while also limiting your intake of fats and salt (sodium).

Six basic rules for healthy living

If you smoke, quit now. Smoking is a leading cause of death, it is a mayor factor in coronary heart disease and in cancers of the lung, mouth, esophagus, throat, bladder and cervix. Also, smoking accelerates aging of the skin, bones and lungs.

If you drink alcohol drink only in moderation. Do not drink any alcohol if you are pregnant or if you are driving or operating machinery. If you think you have a problem with alcohol, call Alcoholics Anonymous, your physician or your local hospital for assistance.
Find some exercise that you enjoy, such as walking, running or swimming, and do it at least 5 times per week for a total of at least 30 minutes each day. The 30 min. can be divided into 10 or 15 min. segments if this are easier to fit into your day.

Eat a wide variety of naturally occurring foods, including plenty of whole grains, fresh fruits and fresh vegetables. Use moderation in your consumption of foods that contain fat. Look at the pyramid for ideas on how to eat for health.

Keep your body trim. Do not let yourself, or your children, become overweight. Obesity is linked with many serious disorders such as hard disease and diabetes mellitus. If you are overweight try hard to make permanent changes in your eating and your exercise habits.

Have regular medical checkups. Screening tests can detect many diseases in their early stages, when they maybe more successfully treated your physician can answer any questions you may have about how often a test should be performed.

Healthy food