Incorporate the MyPyramid Guidelines Into Your Daily Diet with these Easy Tips!

Grains

• Use brown rice stuffing in baked green peppers. Try whole-wheat pasta in macaroni and cheese.
• Snack on ready-to-eat, whole grain cereals.
• Eat popcorn (a whole grain) with little or no added salt and butter.

Vegetables

• Include a green salad with your dinner every night.
• Shred carrots or zucchini into meatloaf, casseroles and muffins.
• Include chopped vegetables in pasta sauce or lasagna.

Fruit

• Top breakfast cereal with bananas. Add blueberries to pancakes.
• Buy pre-cut fruit like pineapples or melons.
• Snack on dried fruits (1/4 cup equals 1/2 cup of other fruits).
• Add fruit to meat dishes; try chicken with apricots or mango chutney.

Oils

• Top whole-grain, no trans fat crackers with almond butter.
• Use varied flavors like walnut and sesame oils for sautéed dishes.
• Choose salmon, trout, and herring, all rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Milk

• Ask for skim milk in your cappuccino or latte.
• Use fat-free, low-fat, or evaporated fat-free milk in condensed cream soups.
• Top casseroles, soups or vegetables with shredded low-fat cheese.
• Make fruit-yogurt smoothies in the blender.

Meat & Beans

• Instead of breading or high-fat sauces, top lean meats with vegetable salsa.
• Serve chili chock full of kidney or pinto beans for a hearty main meal.
• Add slivered almonds to steamed vegetables, or toasted peanuts to stir fry.
• Grill, broil or bake salmon, trout and herring.

For more information, visit MyPyramid.gov