Healthy Plate Template

by Christina Sandor

For more on the The idea behind the healthy plate template visit  http://www.celebnutrition.com/ for more articles by Christina!

It seems like such a simple concept however most people do not eat like this every day.

I have much success with clients making this simple healthy change to their eating habits and some have seen weight loss of 20lbs in a month! Fad diets don’t work and make leave you nutritionally deficient.

  • Easy to follow! 3 meals per day
  • Meals 4-6hrs apart. Timing of meals is very important for your metabolism.
  • Meets all of your nutrition needs for healthy living!
  • Avoid all sugar containing fluids – ie. Pop, juice, energy drinks, etc.
  • Drink Water and the recommended amount of Milk servings/day ~2-3 8oz glasses of milk.
  • Tea and Coffee are OK in moderation if additional calories are not added – ie. sugar, creme. Try a fruity decaffeinated tea – apple cinnamon, berry, etc.
  • Avoid eating snack/junk foods and deserts after or between meals. This is where the extra weight gain comes from.
  • At Breakfast, include a Carbohydrate (Grains and Starches, Fruit, Milk) and Protein, it may be hard for most people to have vegetables every day for breakfast.
  • Ways to include vegetables at breakfast, fresh sliced cucumber and tomato on bread or side, include vegetables in egg omelets (onions, tomatoes, green, yellow, red peppers, etc.).
  • Complimentary with the Cardiac and Diabetes Diet Guidelines.

 

The Healthy Plate Template

Healthy Plate Template
Healthy Plate Template

 

 

Sample Meals for the Healthy Plate Template:

Breakfast:

Tea or coffee

Steal cut oats oatmeal – high in fiber (¾ cup cooked)

½ banana, 1 cup berries or 15 raisins or dried cranberries

1 whole grain toast slice

1 egg omelet with tomatoes, peppers and onions

1% or skim milk (1 cup)

 

Lunch:

Rice (1 cup) = ¼ plate starch

Boiled beans (½ cup)

Lean beef steak (3-4 oz) = ¼ plate protein

Stewed zucchini and carrots

Green salad

– lettuce, tomato wedges and cucumber slices

– dressing: lime juice and olive oil (1 tsp, 5 mL)

1 orange

Water

Tea – decaffeinated

 

Dinner:

1 large potato or 1cup mashed potatoes = ¼ plate starch

Chicken 3-4oz = ¼ plate protein

Green beans (cooked non-starchy vegetable)

Spinach leaf salad with low-fat salad dressing (1 tsp, 5 mL)

Pineapple (2 slices) or 1 cup melon

Low-fat yogurt (¾ cup)

Water

Decaffeinated Tea

 

Afternoon or Evening Snack:

15 grapes or 1 cup berries

Low fat yogurt (3/4 cup) or skim or 1% milk (1cup)