Healthy Picks

The Ripe Choice That's Ready For Picking

Kids who eat right are more alert in school. The same goes for adults, who need energy to get through the day. If you know which foods to eat, you're a step closer to keeping your body strong and your mind fresh. Our Healthy Picks program is just one of the ways we're helping you think about nutrition.

When you're at the vending machines at our hospitals and medical offices, more than half of the offerings will be healthy choices. All Healthy Picks items meet standards set by Kaiser Permanente dietitians. With more healthy snacks and drinks to choose from, being a picky eater just got easier.

Thought For Food

Eating a low-fat diet that includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products can lower your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes.

Finding Balance in Your Meals

With Healthy Picks, you can make smarter food decisions in your everyday life, helping move towards a more balanced diet. Here are more tips on how to eat a balanced meal:

• Think lean. Pick protein sources that are lean - fish, chicken, turkey, legumes, bean, and low or non-fat cheese and milk. Limit fats to less than 30 percent of your total daily calories.
• Good fat - bad fat. Choose foods with the right kinds of fat - canola, soybean, and olive oils - instead of products made from trans fat oils.
• Yes to carbs. Eat complex carbohydrates that are high in fiber - whole grain breads, cereals, rice, pasta, and plenty of fruits, and vegetables.
• Cut out the preservatives. Choose more fresh foods, rather than preserved foods that contain high levels of salt.
• Less is more. Eat smaller portions. And choose foods that provide lots of vitamins and nutrients with fewer calories such as fresh vegetables.

Introducing Healthy Picks

You stare at the vending machine wondering what to get, and all you see is sugar, saturated fat, and more sugar. Well, now snacking just got a lot healthier. With our Healthy Picks program, we've added healthier choices to your snacking experience. Choose an apple or a bag of low-sodium nuts. Pick a salad. Feel good about what you're putting in your body. Because eating well is one of the best ways to help yourself live well.

Look For the Healthy Picks Symbol

When you see our Healthy Picks sticker, you'll know that the fruit, sandwich, or cold drink you're buying is good for your health. You'll see the Healthy Picks sticker on prepared items such as sandwiches and salads, on display charts identifying healthy options, and on rows of healthy snacks.

Foods meeting the Healthy Picks criteria include:

• lean protein sources, such as turkey, chicken, tofu, legumes or beans
• whole or cut fresh fruit; canned fruits in juice
• pre-made salads or cut vegetables served with non-fat or low-fat dressings
• whole grain breads and cereals
• 1% or non-fat dairy products, including milk, yogurt, cottage cheese

And contain no more than:

• 35% of calorie as fat (excluding nuts)
• 10% of calories as saturated fats (excluding nuts)
• 35% of total weight from sugar
• 400mg of sodium per package (snacks)
• 1000mg of sodium per entrée (meals)