By: Nikki Nies
This kid friendly, parent approved system created by NIH, provides has proven to help many choose healthier options. By eliminating the concept of “bad” foods and using a traffic light’s colors as indicators of the nutrient content of foods, encourages people to opt for “GO” foods.
Overview:
- Go: Eat anytime (i.e. almost all vegetables that are canned, frozen or fresh without added fat or sugar)
- Slow: Limit consumption to sometimes (i.e. 100% fruit juice; fruits canned in light syrup; dried fruits)
- Whoa: Limit to special occasions or infrequently (i.e. Croissants; muffins; doughnuts; sweet rolls; crackers made with trans fats; sweetened breakfast cereals)
Foods that are listed in the “GO” category are nutrient dense while “WHOA” foods are the least nutrient dense. Print out a copy of the recommendations
at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/downloads/go-slow-whoa.pdf
and keep it handy!
Sources:
http://www.humbleisd.net/domain/5615
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/index.htm
