Rate Your Plate

Take a closer look at yourself—your current food decisions and your lifestyle. Think about your typical eating pattern and food decisions.

Answer each question with usually (2 points), sometimes (1 point), and never (0 points).

Do you…

• Consider nutrition when you make food choices?
• Try to eat regular meals (including breakfast), rather than skip or skimp on some?
• Choose nutritious snacks?
• Try to eat a variety of foods?
• Include new-to-you foods in snacks and meals?
• Try to balance your energy (calorie) intake with your physical activity?
• Eat at least 6 servings of grain products daily?
• Eat at least 3 servings of vegetables daily?
• Eat at least 2 servings of fruits daily?
• Consume at least 2 servings of milk, yogurt, or cheese daily?
• Go easy on higher-fat foods?
• Go easy on sweets?

If you scored…

24 or more points… Healthful eating seems to be your fitness habit already. Still, look for ways to stick to a healthful eating plan – and to make a "good thing" even better.

16 to 23 points… You are on track. A few easy changes could help you make your overall-eating plan healthier.

9 to 15 points… Sometimes you eat smart- but not often enough to be your "fitness best."

0 to 8 points… For good health, you are wise to rethink your overall eating style. Take it gradually –step by step!

Whatever your score, make moves for healthful eating. Gradually turn your "nevers" into "sometimes" and your "sometimes" into "usually."

Kent Hughes

3-2-00

Source: the American Dietetic Association