Building a better plate – sponsored by Cabarrus Health Alliance

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When it comes to feeling your best, what you put on your plate really matters. And now, thanks to a new initiative from the Cabarrus Health Alliance (CHA), healthy living is more accessible than ever for adults and families in our community. Joining us to talk about this exciting development is Dr. Alicia Primus, Community Impact Director at CHA. “We’re thrilled to introduce our brand-new Adult Service Line,” said Dr. Primus. “It’s designed to support adults and families with nutrition counseling, diabetes education, and even hands-on cooking classes.”

We all know that nutrition plays a key role in our overall health—but Dr. Primus reminds us just how powerful our food choices can be. “What we eat fuels everything we do,” she explained. “A simple way to start is by filling half your plate with fruits and vegetables. Play around with different colors—it’s not just beautiful, it’s beneficial!”

Making Healthy Eating Simple with MyPlate

One of the tools CHA uses to simplify nutrition is the MyPlate method—a visual guide to building balanced meals. MyPlate is a simple visual guide developed by the USDA to help people build balanced and nutritious meals. It divides a standard plate into five food groups, showing the ideal portions of each:

The Five MyPlate Food Groups:

Vegetables – Fill about half your plate with fruits and vegetables, with a slightly larger portion of vegetables. Examples: broccoli, spinach, carrots, peppers.

Fruits – Choose a variety of colorful fruits. Fresh, frozen, canned, or dried all count—just watch for added sugars. Examples: apples, berries, oranges, bananas.

Grains – Make at least half your grains whole grains. Examples: brown rice, whole wheat bread, oatmeal, quinoa.

Protein – Include lean protein sources. Examples: chicken, fish, beans, tofu, eggs, nuts.

Dairy – Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy options. Examples: milk, yogurt, cheese, or fortified soy alternatives.

“MyPlate is a great way to take the guesswork out of eating well,” said Dr. Primus. “It helps you see how to portion your meals with the right mix of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy.”  She also encourages families to cook more meals at home, where they can control ingredients and portion sizes.

Expanded Services for a Healthier Community

The new Adult Health Services at CHA go beyond just food. They offer a full range of wellness programs tailored to meet the needs of the community. “We’ve expanded our services to make sure everyone has access to the support they need,” Dr. Primus shared. “Whether you’re managing diabetes, looking to eat better, or just want to feel your best—we’re here to help.” She adds “our summer slogan is Live Well and Cook Often. Balance your calories: Avoid oversized portions. Cook more at home: You control the ingredients. Drink water instead of sugary drinks and finally be active: Physical activity is part of a healthy lifestyle. If you’re ready to build a better plate and take control of your health, the team at Cabarrus Health Alliance is ready to support you every step of the way. For more information visit cabarrushealth.org and follow on Instagram @CabarrusHealthAlliance.