Fresno County, California

A nutritious and well balanced diet can improve your health and prevent disease.
Healthy foods can also improve the growth and development of children and adolescents.
Learn more about the importance of good nutrition below.

Fast Facts

• Over the past 20 years, the obesity rate has increased dramatically in California. In 1990, the obesity rate was less than 10%. Today the obesity rate is 23.7%.
• The increase in obesity rate is related to an increase in the consumption of foods and beverages high in fats and sugar and a decrease in physical activity over the 20 year period.
• Poor food choices and physical inactivity also increase the risk for chronic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and some cancers.

Regular Physical Activity Is Important Too!

• Adults should be physically active for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.

• Children and teenagers should be physically active for 60 minutes every day, or most days of the week.

Healthy Food Choices

• Focus on fruits. Eat a variety of fruits – fresh, frozen, canned or dried. Limit fruit juices as these can be high in sugar.
• Vary your veggies. Choose more: 1) dark green vegetables, such as broccoli, kale, and other dark leafy greens; 2) orange vegetables, such as carrots and sweet potatoes; and 3) beans and peas, such as kidney beans, black beans, split peas, and lentils.
• Choose calcium-rich foods daily. Look for low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt (without added sugars) and cheeses.
• Make half your grains whole. Select 100% whole-grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice, or pasta.
• Go lean with protein. Choose lean meats and poultry. Bake, broil, or grill rather than fry. Vary your protein choices with more fish, beans, peas, nuts, and seeds.
• Know the limits on fats, salt, and sugar. Look for foods low in saturated fats and trans-fats. Choose and prepare foods and beverages with little added salt (sodium) and sugars.

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