Tips on meal planning

Keep these points in mind when you plan meals for your family:

• Include a variety of foods each day and from day to day. Introduce a new food from time to time.

• Vary flavors and textures. Contrast strong flavor with mild, sweet with sour. Combine crisp textures with smooth.

• Try to have some meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk or cheese at each meal.

• Make a collection of nutritious recipes that the family enjoys and serve them often.

• Brighten food with color—a slice of red tomato, a sprig of dark greens, or other garnish.

• Combine different sizes and shapes of food in a meal, when possible.