In addition, most root vegetables are high in complex carbohydrates as well.  These carbohydrates break down into sugar in your body, giving you the energy and ability to function properly throughout the day.  Root vegetables are high in fiber, as well as being low in fat and calories, making them the perfect food for staying fit.  The high amounts of nutrients root vegetables absorb from growing underground will help satisfy your cravings for junk food, which in turn will help you lose excess weight.  The fiber in these vegetables also helps clean out your digestive system, increasing energy levels for an active lifestyle.

One of the great things about root vegetables is that they can be eaten year round and in almost any way imaginable, while still tasting great.  They add variety and flavor to soups, stews and casseroles and can also be eaten steamed or raw.  Eating root vegetables in their raw state will maximize the health benefits to your body and they are a great addition to salads, smoothies or vegetable juices.  For recipe ideas click here.

BCBSNC is committed to preventive care on every level and a big part of prevention is maintaining a healthy diet.  In fact, every health plan Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina offers covers at 100%  screening, counseling and management for obesity in both adults and children, including nutrition counseling.  (Review the summary of benefits and coverages for more information).  This year, make fall a season for nutritious eating by adding a variety of delicious root vegetables to your daily diet… and eat your way to healthy!

Before starting any weight loss program, always consult your doctor first and get his/her clearance for physical activity and find out if there are any issues that would affect you participating in a new nutrition and fitness program.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.

MyPlate promotes fruits and vegetables, which cover half the circle, with grains and proteins such as meet, fish and poultry a quarter each.  Dairy (e.g. a glass of milk or food, such as cheese or yogurt) rests to the side.  Desserts are – well – in the desert, nowhere to be found.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC offers discounts in premium to individuals in excellent health.   Practice fitness and good nutrition at an early age and reduce the risk of health problems, regardless of age.

Three goals

According to the the new MyPlate home page, the USDA wants Americans to:

1. Balance Calories, Enjoy food, but eat less and avoid oversized portions.

2. Increase portions of some foods. Make half the plate fruits and vegetables and make at least half of the grains whole grains. Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.

3. Decrease consumption of some foods. Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals – and choose the foods with lower numbers. Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

“Brilliant in its simplicity”

Unlike MyPyramid, MyPlate offers people immediately useful information without sending them to consult their computers. It visually represents portion sizes and sends the message that a balanced meal should be at least half vegetables and fruits.

“It’s brilliant in its simplicity,” said Robb MacKie, head of the American Bakers Association, which represents bread makers.  “It’s something the average American can look at and get a visual feel for how they can fill up a plate at a real meal.”

The new symbol, unveiled on June 2, 2011, with First Lady Michele Obama in attendance, is “grabbing the consumer’s attention that we are after this time, not making it so complicated that perhaps it is a turnoff, said Robert Post of the USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.  “There is something really inviting about this familiar setting for meal time.”

USDA will be promoting MyPlate through social media (e.g. Twitter), with its website eventually featuring interactive tools that help people manage their weight and track exercise.

Well-received

So far, according to the Washington Post, MyPlate has been well received, especially in comparison with MyPyramid.

MyPlate is also based on better science than MyPyramid, or the granddaddy of food icons, the Food Guide Pyramid.

But, says, P.J. Skerrett, editor of the Harvard Heart Letter in a post on the Harvard Health Blog, MyPlate ignores important issues like the healthiest choices for grains, protein, and fat.

Equally important, it is silent about avoiding sugary baked goods, breakfast cereals, and drinks, as well as salty processed foods and snacks, which make up a big chunk of the average American’s daily caloric intake.

One small but interesting fact lost in the hullabaloo over the launch of MyPlate, says Harvard Health: it’s almost exactly the same as the New American Plate, developed in 1999 by the American Institute for Cancer Research.

The information in this article is from the USDA and Lindsay Burton from momsteam.com

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

In a new study from the University of Washington, researchers surveyed 2,000 adults in King County and analyzed their self-reported diets for nutrient content and cost. Their findings illustrated what you might already suspect: Not only were grains, sugars, and fats cheaper than fruits and vegetables on a per calorie basis, but consumers typically had to increase their food budget to incorporate recommended nutrients like potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin D, and calcium into their diet. For example, individuals who consumed potassium in accordance with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines added an average of $380 a year to their annual food cost.

Previous studies have shown the same patterns. Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that among 78,000 women surveyed, the healthiest eaters were spending 24% more on food than women who ate less nutritiously.

Discouraging? Sure. But before you spend major cash on groceries, or give up on healthy eating  altogether, read on for eight smart money-saving tips that will help you eat well without breaking the bank.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of NCoffers discounts in premium to individuals in excellent health.   Practice fitness and make good nutritional choices and you may qualify.

Make a List

“One of the most important things is planning ahead, so you can use what you already have in your freezer, cupboards, and fridge.” says Peggy Martin, lead author of the Iowa State University Extension website Spend Smart, Eat Smart. “We know from research that a lot of food goes to waste.” The average American family throws away 14% of their food, according to a USDA study. This adds up to almost $600 each year. So make a point to use what you have in the cupboards, or have a plan about how you will do so, before you go shopping again. By preparing before you hit the market, you will also be less likely to make costly impulse buys.

Don’t forget to add these surprisingly cheap fresh foods: carrots, spinach, red cabbage, green beans, bananas, oranges, and pears to your grocery list.

This post is from Fitbie, fitbie.msn.com by Mary Squillace.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.

“The long-term benefit of this effort will extend well beyond the growing season,” said Brad Wilson, BCBSNC president and CEO. “By increasing access to healthy foods, we can all eat better, lower rates of diabetes, heart disease and obesity, and ultimately reduce the impact that unhealthy lifestyles have on our health care system.”

Nourishing North Carolina will provide resources to create or enhance existing community gardens in all 100 North Carolina counties by the close of 2013. The program is expected to ultimately provide North Carolina communities with 190,000 pounds of fresh produce, enhancing nutritional value to nearly 150,000 meals.

“The obesity rate among our children in North Carolinais alarming. And, more than two-thirds of adults in North Carolina are overweight or obese,” said Mack McLeod, NCRPA president. “Nourishing North Carolina gives us an opportunity to address unhealthy eating trends head on by getting healthy foods into our communities and into the hands of citizens. All North Carolinians should have access to a local source of healthy foods.”

Community gardens are increasing in popularity across the state and nation. In addition to providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables, community gardens help strengthen community relationships and promote physical activity and education through garden maintenance and neighborhood workdays. Among other benefits, community gardens create protected green space.

The Nourishing NC program accepted applications beginning in April through parks and recreation departments, health departments, cooperative extensions and master gardeners across the state. Applications were reviewed by the program committee, comprised of master gardeners and representatives from organizations including the North Carolina Community Gardner Partners, NCRPA and BCBSNC.

This information was published by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, July 2011.

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.