Healthy Eating

Build Better Meals

Food is fuel. Choosing foods that will get you started – and keep you going – can nourish your body and mind, help you maintain a healthy weight and prevent illness.

Food is fuel. Choosing foods that will get you started – and keep you going – can nourish your body and mind, help you maintain a healthy weight and prevent illness.

Christina Chechile

I joined WeightWatchers before our 1199SEIU discount started but had to quit because of the expense. So, when the WW program was added to our benefits at a special rate, I signed right back up. WW taught me how to be smart about food —now I’ve lost over 90 pounds!

– Christina C., 1199SEIU Member, Northwell Health

I joined WeightWatchers before our 1199SEIU discount started but had to quit because of the expense. So, when the WW program was added to our benefits at a special rate, I signed right back up. WW taught me how to be smart about food —now I’ve lost over 90 pounds!

– Christina C., 1199SEIU Member, Northwell Health

Have you started yet?

Take the next step toward better health and reach your goals with WeightWatchers. Learn More!

Give yourself the gift of health with

A Message from Abbie Gellman, MS, RD, CDN

Fruits and veggies are full of nutrients, nutrients that help our bodies run. They have everything from antioxidants to vitamins and minerals and fiber. When I’m thinking about what’s really healthy for my body, fruits and vegetables are my go-to.

— Abbie Gellman, MS, RD, CDN, Registered Dietitian and Chef
Director of the Teaching Kitchen and Culinary Medicine, SBH Health System

A Message from Abbie Gellman, MS, RD, CDN

Food scoring systems imply ‘good’ and ‘bad’ foods. This, in turn, may increase guilt or shame around eating and disordered eating behaviors, or misinformation around foods that are healthy instead of nutrition education. It’s much easier to understand a plate (MyPlate) that is half non-starchy vegetables, one-quarter lean protein and one-quarter starch. This is not foolproof, but it’s a better place to start when trying to think about what a healthy diet and healthy meal may look like.

Opt for a heavily plant-based diet rich in complex carbohydrates like those found in fruits, vegetables, legumes, brown rice and whole grains, which will keep you satisfied, doesn’t spike blood sugar and supports GI health. The goal here is to make half of all grains whole grains, so some refined carbohydrates are fine. If possible, pair these refined carbs with foods high in fiber. For example, white rice paired with vegetables or sugar in oatmeal.

Unsaturated heart-healthy fats may help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by improving related risk factors such as total and LDL blood cholesterol, blood pressure and inflammation. Also, omega-3 fatty acids may play a role in reducing the risk of heart disease and other issues such as cancer, arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease.

Know Your Caloric Numbers

Check this USDA chart for an estimate of what your body needs to function efficiently, but for a more accurate measure, try the calorie calculator at Calculator.net.

Age
Sedentary Moderately Active Active
21–25 2,000 2,200 2,400
26–30 1,800 2,000 2,400
31–50 1,800 2,000 2,200
51–55 1,600 1,800 2,200
56–60 1,600 1,800 2,200
61–75 1,600 1,800 2,000
76 and up 1,600 1,800 2,000
Age
Sedentary Moderately Active Active
21–25 2,400 2,800 3,000
26–35 2,400 2,600 3,000
36–40 2,400 2,600 2,800
41–45 2,200 2,600 2,800
46–55 2,200 2,400 2,800
56–60 2,200 2,400 2,600
61-65 2,000 2,400 2,600
66-75 2,200 2,200 2,600
76 and up 2,000 2,200 2,400

What Is Healthy Eating?

Nutritional guidelines vary based on age, sex, height, weight, activity levels and specific health conditions, so talk with your doctor, nutritionist or dietician about your own health needs before starting a new eating plan.

Where Our Fuel Comes From

45% to 65%: Carbohydrates
10% to 35%: Protein
20% to 35%: Fats

Take the MyPlate Quiz

In November
"Chef Marcus Dishes Healthy Holiday Cooking"

Chef Marcus Samuelsson (Bio)

Marcus Samuelsson, Award-Winning Chef, Restaurateur, Author and Activist

Marcus Samuelsson is the esteemed chef behind many restaurants worldwide, including Red Rooster Harlem and Red Rooster Overtown in Miami; Hav & Mar in the Chelsea Arts District; Metropolis at the Perelman Performing Arts Center in lower Manhattan; and several international locations, including the Bahamas, Canada and Ethiopia. Samuelsson was the youngest person ever to receive a three-star review from The New York Times. He has won eight James Beard Foundation Awards and was the guest chef for the Obama Administration’s first state dinner.

In 2023, Marcus earned an Emmy Award for the Short Form Program “My Mark.” He is a longstanding judge and TV personality on the hit Food Network show Chopped, head judge of Top Chef Family Style and an Iron Chef on Netflix’s rebooted Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend, and he makes frequent appearances in Scandinavian media. Samuelsson served as host and producer of the Seat at the Table audio series on Audible and co-host of the This Moment podcast with Swedish rapper Timbuktu on Acast. He is the author of multiple books, including The New York Times bestseller Yes, Chef: A Memoir, as well as the critically acclaimed The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food.

To complement his professional commitments, Samuelsson is co-chair of Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), which focuses on helping underserved youth. An active public speaker, Marcus hosted his first TED Talk at the world-famous Apollo Theater in 2012. He was invited back in 2024, when he was joined in conversation by renowned curator Thelma Golden to discuss the intersection of food, culture and community. He participates in lectures globally, most recently with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The New York Times during Climate Week NYC 2024.

Follow Samuelsson on Instagram, Facebook and X at @MarcusCooks and on TikTok at @Marcus_Cooks.

Marcus Samuelsson – award-winning chef, restaurateur, author and activist – stops by Health Is the Key to talk turkey (among other things)! Chef Marcus shares favorite holiday memories, his love of farmers’ markets and a few ingredients we should all get to know better. So tune in Wednesday, November 6, to learn simple things you can do to give your holiday menu a healthy twist.

Marcus Samuelsson – Chef galardonado, restaurador, autor y activista – pasa por el Health Is the Key podcast para hablar de pavo (entre otras cosas). El chef Marcus comparte sus recuerdos favoritos de sus vacaciones, su amor por los mercados de agricultores y algunos ingredientes que todos deberíamos conocer mejor. Sintonice el miércoles 6 de noviembre para aprender cosas simples que puede hacer para darle un toque saludable a su menú navideño.

Brioche-Crusted Salmon and Salad video

Listen to quick healthy-cooking tips from Chef Marcus:

Fry healthier
Let the sides shine
Roast Brussels sweetly

Tune in to Health Is the Key

Black Bean Brownies - English

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

This heart healthy sweet treat packs a punch—fiber, protein and taste! SBH Health System’s Chef Abbie Gellman shows you how you can improve your cardiovascular health while enjoying dessert, with simple swaps.

RECIPE
Black Bean Brownies - Spanish

Satisfaga Su Gusto Por lo Dulce

Este regalo dulce y saludable para el corazón tiene un gran impacto: ¡fibra, proteína y sabor! El Educador de Nutrición Culinaria de SBH Health System, Yanir Cedeño, le muestra cómo puede mejorar su salud cardiovascular y también disfrutar el postre, con simples intercambios.

RECETA
Save Time and Boost Your Nutrition - English

Save Time and Boost Your Nutrition

We know your days are busy, and sometimes eating healthy takes a back seat to other responsibilities. Watch SBH Health System’s Registered Dietician, Chef Abbie Gellman, show you how one-pan cooking can save you time and increase your nutrition!

RECIPE 
Ahorre Tiempo y Mejore Su Nutrición

Ahorre Tiempo y Mejore Su Nutrición

Sabemos que usted está ocupado durante el día y a veces, comer sano pasa a un segundo plano frente a otras responsabilidades. Siga al especialista en nutrición culinaria de SBH Health System, Yanir Cedeno, élla les mostrara cómo puede ahorrarle tiempo al cocinar en una solo sartén y aumentar su salud nutricional!

RECETA 

Good-for-You Foods Made Easy

Follow this simple recipe from SBH Health System’s Teaching Kitchen.

Alimentos que le hacen bien, fáciles de hacer

Siga esta simple receta del equipo de cocina de SBH Health System.

The Best Fuel for Your Body’s Engine

Eating enough fruits and veggies is important, yet challenging. Get simple tips on squeezing more of them into your day.

Turn Your Pantry Staples into Healthy and Budget-friendly Meals

In this webinar, health educators explain how to turn your cupboard items into tasty and nutritious meals.

How Do You Get Your Required Daily Vitamins and Minerals?

Learn why you need certain vitamins and minerals and the foods you can eat to get the recommended daily amount.

Make every bite count:
Eat nutrient-dense foods instead of less-filling fast and processed foods

Choose a variety of options from each food group

Also, don’t forget your annual physical exam.

Consider healthy swaps.

You can still enjoy the fullness and flavor of your favorite foods by making healthy tweaks. If you like crispy foods, try air frying instead of deep frying. You’ll lower your calories and consumption of trans fats and decrease your risk of cardiovascular and metabolic problems.

Also consider cutting down on the meat in your meals by swapping in plant-based proteins. Chili, hamburgers, meatloaf, tacos and spaghetti can be nutritionally enhanced by adding lentils, chopped mushrooms, carrots, zucchini, spinach—or whatever you like—into ground meat—without sacrificing taste!

When seasoning your dishes, try adding fresh or dried herbs to lower your sodium intake. When it comes to salt, reach for kosher salt. It has less sodium than table salt.

More swaps to try:

  • Honey or maple syrup for white sugar
  • Greek yogurt for sour cream or mayonnaise (more protein)
  • Oatmeal with fruit for boxed breakfast cereals
  • Avocados and olive oil for butter or margarine
  • Wild rice or brown rice for white rice (more protein and fiber)
  • Skin on sweet potatoes for peeled white potatoes (more fiber)
Watch for added sugars or artificial sweeteners in desserts, sodas and juices.

Build healthy eating habits and stay within calorie needs by choosing foods and beverages with little to no added sugars. Added sugars are sugars and syrups used in foods during preparation, processing or at the table. A product’s Nutrition Facts label can tell you exactly how much sugar is in each serving. The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugars to 50 grams a day, aiming for 100 calories or less for women and 150 calories or less for men.

Meal prep on the weekends.

Maintaining a healthy diet can be challenging with a busy schedule. Meal preparation—batch-cooking, chopping veggies, pre-assembling meals – allows you to eat well-balanced meals, with controlled portions. It also helps you choose healthy ingredients and avoid making unnecessary food purchases – saving you money and reducing food waste.

Keep in mind:

  • You can prep meals as many as five days in advance. Freeze any that you won’t eat within five days.
  • Prep each meal in its entirety or prep separate ingredients (for example, cut vegetables and cook meats) to speed up the cooking process later.
  • Cook grains in large batches, as they take a long time.
  • Have plenty of single-meal-sized containers for storage on hand.
Learn how much you need from each food group with a personalized MyPlate Plan.

Visit MyPlate.gov to see your food group targets – fruits, veggies, grains, proteins and dairy – and learn what and how much to eat within your calorie allowance. Your food plan is personalized, based on your age, sex, height, weight and physical activity level.

Get your fill.

Drinking enough water throughout the day is vital for optimal health. While everyone knows it’s important to stay hydrated, getting enough water each day can be a challenge. Truth is, many of us don’t drink the recommended amount.

Here are some ways to help you drink more water
Pay attention to portion sizes.

How much you eat is as important as what you eat in order to maintain a healthy weight. But what’s the difference between a “portion” and a “serving”? A portion is how much food you choose to eat at one time, while a serving is a standard measure of food listed on a product’s Nutrition Facts label – so your portion size may not match the serving size. The serving size on a label is not a recommendation of how much you should eat or drink. That’s because the number of calories you need each day depends on your age, sex, height, weight and physical activity level. Use the chart above to find out how many calories you should take in each day.

Managing portion control is harder when eating out, so check the menu for calorie information; consider sharing a meal or taking half home; order one or two healthy appetizers instead of a whole meal; keep an eye on beverages – these calories can add up quickly; and stop eating and drinking when you feel full.

Statistics

More than 6,100 schools offered salad bars to more than 3 million children and school staff in 2023.

Source: CDC

Eating healthy, moving more and quitting tobacco can prevent 80% of heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes and 40% of cancers.

Source: WHO

Boost Your Longevity with Healthy Habits and Foods Workshop

  • Retirees: Cooking for Your Health

    Thursday, December 12, at 11:00 am

    Let’s get cooking! We’re excited to get in the kitchen to show you how to prepare healthy meals and share tips for better eating. Each class will last one hour at the Zoom links listed below and will include a cooking demonstration. Take a look at the tasty offerings you’ll cook up this month!

    Recipe LinkZoom Link

  • Retirees: Cooking for Your Health

    Thursday, December 26, at 11:00 am

    Let’s get cooking! We’re excited to get in the kitchen to show you how to prepare healthy meals and share tips for better eating. Each class will last one hour at the Zoom links listed below and will include a cooking demonstration. Take a look at the tasty offerings you’ll cook up this month!

    Recipe LinkZoom Link

Join our quarterly Wellness Workshops for live cooking demonstrations, nutrition tips and easy-to-use strategies to help you stay on track. Watch replays anytime in our Benefits Channel archive.

Resources

Access free or reduced-cost community services and programs close to where you live or work with findhelp.org. Search for support in your community, including housing assistance, emotional well-being resources, child care, legal help and more.

Visit findhelp.1199SEIUBenefits.org to get started.

findhelp Logo

Programs at Your Worksite

As an 1199SEIU member, you may have access to programs where you work to help you live a healthy lifestyle.

Find Out More About Programs at Montefiore Health System, Mount Sinai Health System, NewYork-Presbyterian, Northwell Health and NYU Langone Health.

The information contained in this site is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives. See terms of use.

**$25 shop credit + shipping on us offer terms: You must purchase a WW membership plan between 6/1/23 and 7/31/23 to get a $25 WW Shop Credit that can be used at the WW Shop at WW.com/shop. You will receive the credit via email within 5 to 7 days of signup. Available only where membership plans are offered through your employer or health plan, and in participating areas only. One per member. Credit must be redeemed by 8/31/23. Some products may be excluded. Free shipping is applicable on standard ground shipping to a single continental U.S. delivery address only. Offer not available to current members. Non-transferable. Offer is subject to change without notice.

1199SEIU Family of Funds
Health Is The Key, a podcast for 1199SEIU members