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The New Food Guide Pyramid

By Jennifer R. Scott, About.com

Updated: May 28, 2008

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Vary Your Veggies

Eating a balanced diet is still an important factor in the Guidelines even if it's no longer the most important. To get the nutrients you need eat a variety of different types of foods.

For example? Don't settle for the same old peas and carrots when you're working in those nutritious veggies to your calorie budget. Here are some ideas for veggie variety:

Pass on the peas a few nights for:

  • broccoli
  • spinach
  • collards
  • turnip greens

Tonight, leave the carrots to the bunnies and munch on:

  • sweet potatoes
  • winter squash
  • pumpkin (yep, it's a veggie!)

And don't forget mushrooms, chickpeas, summer squash and all the other tasty veggies that will mix up your meal plans and keep your diet in balance.

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