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We Can!, Ways to Enhance Children's Activity and Nutrition Ways to Enhance
Children's Activity
& Nutrition

Healthy Eating Plans

Container with sandwich and fruit

Do all of your meals add up to a healthy diet? Find out using one of two eating plans that show the recommended amounts from each food group. The USDA Food Patterns and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Eating Plan can serve as basic guides for balanced nutrition for you and your family. Amounts also are provided for different foods within each food group.

Both eating plans are based on 2,000 calories each day. You will need to adjust the basic guides up or down depending on the individual needs of each family member. Use them with the Estimated Calorie Requirements to determine how much of these foods to eat to maintain your family's energy balance.

Learn more about the USDA Food Patterns and the DASH Eating Planpdf document icon (78 KB), MyPlateexternal disclaimer, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americansexternal disclaimer.

Last Updated: February 13, 2013