Healthy Eating

Although we love our Cajun cooking style, Baton Rouge residents should take steps to a healthier city by consuming the adequate amount of nutrients in our daily intake. Our local Farmer's Market is a great resource for fresh fruits and vegetables.

The below recommendations are based on a reference 2,000-calorie intake per day. Depending on your age, gender, and activity level, higher or lower amounts may be needed. One size does NOT fit all. Pennington Biomedical Research Center can provide you with more in-depth information for eating healthy foods. Please visit www.mypyramid.gov to find your healthy match!

  • Grains
    Consume 3 or more ounce-equivalents of whole-grain products per day, with the rest of the recommended grains coming from enriched or whole-grain products. In general, at least half the grains should come from whole grains.

  • Vegetables
    Two and a half cups per day is recommended. Select from all five subgroups (dark green, orange, legumes, starchy vegetables, and other vegetables) several times a week.

  • Fruits
    Choose a variety of fruits, adding up to two cups per day.

  • Milk
    Consume 3 cups per day of fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.

  • Meat/Beans
    Most meat and poultry choices should be lean or low-fat. Fish, nuts, and seeds contain healthy oils, so choose these foods frequently instead of meat or poultry.

  • Oils
    Choose oils are high in monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats, and low in saturated fats.


Our daily food and physical activity choices affect our health - how we feel today, tomorrow, and in the future.
By choosing to eat healthy foods, it will be easier to lose and/or maintain a healthy weight. Please visit BREADA, the Big River Economic and Agricultural Development Alliance; and both the LSU AgCenter and Southern AgCenter for more information.

HeartHub for Patients

Hearthub™ is the American Heart Association’s patient portal for information, tools and resources about cardiovascular disease and stroke. Here you will find a wealth of information to help you understand and manage your health.