Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi

Heart Health

Eat Healthy to Be Healthy

Eating a healthy diet is one of the most vital things you can do each day for your health. While there’s a lot of information regarding eating and fad diets available, it’s important to remember eating healthy doesn’t have to be complicated.

A healthy diet isn’t centered on restrictions. The centerpiece of a healthy diet begins with eating nutritious foods and drinks that meet your caloric needs, make you feel your best and properly fuel you throughout your daily activities.

Some simple steps you can take immediately to improve your eating habits include:

  • Not skipping meals

  • Plan your meals ahead of time

  • Opt for fresh ingredients and limit packaged and processed foods

  • Keep a positive attitude about improving eating habits

  • Stay hydrated and drink water instead of sugary drinks

  • Make healthy eating pleasurable and not a chore

  • Eat from every food group






  • Veggies

    Beets Red Onions Red Peppers Red Potatoes Tomatoes Carrots Summer Squash Sweet Potatoes Yellow Corn Yellow Pepper Avocado Lettuce Broccoli Cabbage Eggplant Sweet Potato Cauliflower Mushrooms Onions Turnips White Potato

  • Fruits

    Cherries Cranberries Pink Grapefruit Pomegranate Watermelons Apricot Cantaloupe Mango Papaya Pineapple Apples Grapes Honeydew Kiwi Limes Blackberries Blueberries Raspberries Grapes Plums Bananas Brown Pear White Peaches Dates

  • Whole Grains

    Oat Rice Whole Wheat Bread Quinoa Wild Rice Barley

  • Fat-free or Low-fat Dairy Products

    Frozen Yogurt Cheese Butter Yogurt Milk

  • Lean Meats, Poultry, Eggs, Beans, Peas, Nuts, Seeds and Soy Products

    Red Beans Steak Eggs Green Split Peas Lima Beans Cashews Chicken Fish Peanuts Black-eyed Peas




Meal Prep

Meal Planning Made Easy

Meal planning has many advantages including reducing monthly food waste, decreasing stress and saving you money! People are often intimidated by the idea of meal planning, but if you find the right plan for you and your family, it is actually quite simple! Remember, crockpot meals and make ahead freezer meals can save time as well during a busy week. Just set aside a little time on the weekends to prep.

Here are important steps to help you meal plan!

Meal Planning Step-by-Step

  1. Print off a calendar each month with the days of the week listed on it.

  2. Mark busy nights where you know leftovers or a quick meal will be a must.

  3. On a different sheet of paper, write down meals (20-25) that you and your family enjoy.

  4. Plug those meals into your monthly calendar depending on how often you want to cook each week.

  5. Write down the ingredients you will need to cook each meal. Make sure to check your pantry and fridge, and cross off any ingredients you already have on hand.

  6. Use this list to grocery shop!

Congrats! You just meal planned!

Nutrition Resources

Nutrition Resources

Everyone knows about the importance of practicing good nutrition, but often we're bombarded with an overload of information in the digital world. So, how do you sort through the noise? We're here to help! There are many organizations that offer credible, practical and reputable resources on nutrition. From meal prep to healthy recipes to grocery shopping to the most up-to-date research in the nutrition world, these resources will help guide you and get you started in the right direction.




Tips for Eating Out and Eating Healthy

Restaurants are a big business with about 24 percent of all meals eaten away from home. Rather than avoiding restaurants and eating out altogether, it's more realistic to focus on moderation and how to make your experience as healthy as possible. Here are some tips to make those meals count without going way over your nutrition budget!

Know before you go

Look at menus online, many of which now have nutrition information. Eat lighter meals beforehand, exercise and drink plenty of water to keep yourself fuller longer.

Don't go hungry

Drink water and choose broth-based soups for starters.

Watch Words

Choose baked, grilled or steamed. Avoid breaded, battered, fried, creamy and smothered.

Ask for help

Don't be afraid to ask for your food to be made with less or lighter ingredients, sauces on the side or any other substitutions to make it healhier.

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