Did you know?
Fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables all count towards your daily fruit and vegetable goals. You can rinse canned items to reduce sugar and sodium

Healthy eating is homemade!

Cooking at home allows you to make a more nutritious plate.

Tips for cooking more nutritious meals:

  • Steam, grill, bake, roast, braise or stew your proteinsinstead of frying.
  • Keep frozen vegetable mixes on hand to easily addcolorful variety.
  • Add beans or lentils to your salad for more proteinand fiber.
  • Add extra vegetables to homemade casseroles and pasta.
  • Choose corn tortillas over flour tortillas to limit refined grains and to get more whole grain and fiber.
  • Choose whole wheat pastas and whole grain cereals instead of refined grains.
  • Steam vegetables instead of boiling.

Instead of boiling vegetables, place them on a steamer in the pot on the stove (which acts as a small shelf for the vegetable). Fill the water to the level of the steamer and cover the pot so you don’t lose important nutrients when cooking. A microwavable steamer is also a good option and can save time.

Tips for preparing a more nutritious plate:

  • Drink milk or soy milk with meals to increase protein and calcium.
  • Add fruit to yogurt and cereal for sweetness.
  • Keep cut-up fresh fruits and vegetables orsingle-serving fruit cups on hand to add to yourmeals.
Lindsay, A. and Helm, M. 2025, Choosing Healthy Options 2 - Nutrition information for older adults, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-25-04-15

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Also of Interest:

 
healthy food options
Choosing Healthy Options 1 - Nutrition information for older adults
Healthy choices can be made both at home and at restaurants. Where you eat isn’t as important as what you eat.
Lindsay, A. and Helm, M. 2025, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-25-04-14
 

Associated Programs

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Healthy Aging Initiative

Using Extension's expertise, the HAI team can connect you with the resources to navigate aging and its trends. HAI programs are offered for adults over 50 and those who partner with them to provide care and support, including careers in aging exploration for middle and high school students and incoming college freshmen. We provide expert nutrition and physical activity training information for elders, caregivers and professionals. We have sponsorship options for tours and professional education.