Champions for Change

The California Department of Public Health joined forces with CalFresh and ChooseMyPlate to create Champions for Change. Champions for Change is a movement that allows California's to discover new ways to eat healthy, exercise more, use CalFresh benefits and connect with other Champions for Change.
We want our kids to have a chance to live a long, healthy life. So we’re making important changes – starting with the way our families eat.
Why Eat Healthy?​

The foods we eat affect ou​r health, bodies and minds. Eating healthy means filling half our plates with fruits and vegetables. As Champions for Change, we follow the “MyPlate” rules – or these 10 Tips to a Great Plate.

MyPlate shows the five food groups that are the basis for a healthy diet.
 
How many fruits and vegetables do you need?

A good tip to follow is to fill half your plate with colorful fruits and vegetables. The good news is that there are hundreds of fruits and vegetables, so it’s easy to eat a colorful variety. Fruits and vegetables come in many different forms. Fruits and vegetables may be fresh, cooked, canned, frozen, or dried. They can be eaten whole, cut-up, mashed, or puréed. And 100% fruit or vegetable juice counts too!

 
How can you fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables?

There are many ways to eat healthy at every meal and snack. We have almost 100 healthy recipes to help you and your family eat healthy all day and every day. You can also check out our Tips for Eating Healthy to learn how you can enjoy more fruits and vegetables at home, school, work, and in your community.

Why is it good to eat fruits and vegetables every day?

Fruits and vegetables help your body get the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and nutrients it needs to be healthy. They are also low in sodium and calories, and most are fat free. As part of a balanced plate, fruits and vegetables may help you and your family:

  • Lower your risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and some types of cancer.
  • Control weight.
  • Have more energy.
  • ​Look and feel great.
 
Fruits and vegetables may also help your child:​
  • Focus and do better in school.
  • Grow and develop a strong body.
  • Feel good about themselves.
  • Lower their risk for obesity that could lead to type 2 diabetes.

Being healthy means moving more – every day!

As Champions for Change, we try to get our families moving more. 

Why? Because it’s good for our health​, bodies, and minds. 

​We do things like:
  • Walk to nearby places like school, work, and the grocery store. 
  • Dance with our families after dinner. ​​
  • Play a game of soccer with our friends. 
  • Garden – so we can be active and grow healthy foods at the same time!

 

How much activity​ do you need?

Everybody is different. Find out how much you and your family need in our How Much section.

How do you get moving more every day?

There are many ways to get moving every day. Our Tips to Get Moving will give you lots of ideas on how to move more, no matter where you are.

Why Get Moving?

Being physi​cally active every day is good for your health.

Physical activity can:
  • ​Give you more energy.
  • Lower stress and help you relax.
  • Help you get to and keep a healthy body weight.
  • Lower your risk of serious health problems like obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer.
  • Help build and keep your bones, muscles, and joints healthy.
  • Help you focus better at work.
  • Help your child focus better at school.

​What You Drink Is As Important As What You Eat.

Sugary drinks—including soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks—are the largest source of added sugar in the diet. Drinks with added sugar often provide extra calories, but few nutrients or fiber. Besides increased tooth decay, experts believe they add to obesity, which increases the risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Change starts here: learn how to Spot the Sugar  and learn how to Make the Switch  to healthy drinks.

 

​Healthy changes happen when we make healthy choices.

 

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