Good Food Means Good Health

Good food is so much a part of our quality of life that we take it for granted. It's easy to forget that the meat, poultry and dairy products we enjoy are the result of hands-on hard work combined with modern technology. In fact, this unique combination of human talent and technology has made it possible for today's farmers to produce foods that are more nutritious than they were twenty years ago. Scientifically-based feeding practices and improved methods of analysis have enabled farmers to produce food specifically suited to the diet and nutritional needs of today's consumers. The bottom line: we're eating better and healthier than ever before.

Dietary Advice for Today

Experts advise that our bodies need nutrients from each of the five basic food groups: vegetables, fruits, grain products, milk and dairy foods, and meats.

No single food can supply all nutrients in the amounts we need. For example, milk supplies calcium but little iron; meat supplies iron but little calcium. A balanced diet includes all of these nutrients.

Milk and Dairy Foods

Milk and dairy foods provide protein, B vitamins, vitamins A and D, calcium and phosphorus. Most of the calcium in our food supply comes from milk and dairy products; it is very difficult to get all the calcium needed without eating milk and dairy foods.

A diet too low in calcium has been linked to several health problems, including osteoporosis, bone loss in the jaw, and hypertension in some people. The American Medical Association and the American Dietetic Association recommend that calcium be obtained from food rather than from pills.

Meat and Poultry

Meat and Poultry are a major source of protein, vitamins such as niacin, thiamin and riboflavin, and minerals including iron, zinc and magnesium. Animal products give us about three-fourths of the protein and one-third of the energy in human diets. Since protein is an essential part of every cell in the body, it is a vital element. Protein is made up of amino acids; of the 22 amino acids, eight cannot be manufactured by the human body, so must come from food.

For today's health conscious society, there are lean cuts of meat and poultry which meet guidelines developed by organizations such as the American Heart Association, the Minnesota Dietetic Association and the Minnesota Department of Health.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are important for vitamins A and C, folic acid, fiber and minerals.

Bread and Cereals

Bread and cereal products supply B vitamins, iron, protein, fiber and minerals.