5 ways to put the New Guidelines into Action

My previous post gave the main points of the new dietary guidelines but now lets put them into practice!

1) Enjoy your food but reduce portions
Food should be enjoyed!   When eating at home choose a smaller plate than you usually do - this will automatically reduce your portion size without you feeling your plate looks too empty.
2) Avoid oversize portions
Often restaurants tempt us with "for only a dollar more" you can have a bigger portion.   While we all love a bargain, this is one offer we should resist or if you do choose the larger portion share it with others or take some home to make another meal out of it the next day.
3)Make half your plate fruit and veg
 Most of us know fruit and vegetables are good for our health but how many of us honestly eat around 7 portions every day?  By keeping this guideline in mind when serving our meals it will help increase intake of these wonderful foods.  Frozen and canned fruit and veg count too - try to buy those canned in water or natural juice.
4) Switch to low fat milk
If you currently drink full fat milk and feel that switching to fat free milk is too big a step at first, change to 2% initially.  This will still  reduce your fat intake and over time you can try and reduce it further by using 1% or fat free milk.  Store brand milks are often cheaper than other brands but are nutritionally the same.
5) Reduce sodium intake
 In store: read labels and choose the lowest sodium content item; look for products that are labeled low sodium
At home: reduce your intake of processed food and use simple recipes to cook at home which gives you control over how much sodium you add; trying adding salt when cooking OR at the table but not both.

New Guidelines, New Year, new YOU!  Which of these steps will you try first ?