By Lauren Incarnato, Student Nutritionist One of the hardest adjustments in college is learning how to work out your meals. Whether it be that you are a picky eater, have difficulty finding time to eat, or just are unsure of what foods to eat overall, an all you care to eat dining plan gives you a lot of freedom. Sometimes it can get a little overwhelming and you may find yourself stacking foods onto your plate, eating a meal lacking in fruits and vegetables and filled with fried foods and carbs. One great tip that will assist you in eating a more well balanced meal is to aim for a colorful plate. Whether it be in the dining hall or out to eat, a colorful plate leads to a more well balanced diet. Not only is a colorful plate prettier and more exciting, but a wider variety of colors also means a wider variety of nutrients! Different kinds of vegetables contain different phytonutrients, which are a wide variety of nutrients found in plants. Phytonutrients (also referred to as antioxidants) work as a defense system to combat the free radicals in your body that damage your cells. There are numerous different phytonutrients, each of different colors, and by eating fruits and vegetables all across the color spectrum, you can assure that you are consuming them all and getting all the different nutrients that you may need! A colorful plate does not necessarily mean having a salad loaded with different vegetables. The USDA MyPlate standard indicates that half your plate should consist of fruits and vegetables at every meal. Fill half your plate with different fruits and vegetables, and leave the rest for your protein and grains! This helps to create a more balanced diet and ensures you are getting all the antioxidants you need. Here are some suggestions to add more color to your plate while in the dining halls:
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ABOUTTerps With Taste is run by the Student Nutritionist Team with University of Maryland Dining Services. We write content for students, by students. Enjoy! Categories
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