Final answer:
The Capital Area Food Bank defines healthy food as nutrient-rich whole foods and encourages healthy eating through education on nutrient and energy density, promoting the use of guides like MyPyramid and MyPlate, and aiming to make healthy foods accessible in all communities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Capital Area Food Bank defines healthy food as items that provide the essential nutrients needed for maintaining good health. Given this, they focus on promoting a diet that includes whole foods, which are minimally processed and contain a balance of vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, fats, and fiber. These whole foods are contrasted with commercially prepared and fast foods, which often lack essential nutrients and contain high amounts of sugar, salt, saturated and trans fats. Eating such a diet is associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, cancer, obesity, and diabetes.
To encourage people to eat healthfully, the Capital Area Food Bank emphasizes the importance of nutrient and energy density, and how understanding these concepts can lead to better food choices. They provide resources and education on building a healthy plate with nutrient-dense foods from various food groups. Tools like MyPyramid, MyPlate, and food labels offer valuable information on achieving the right balance of nutrients. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to include all communities in the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle, moving beyond more affluent areas and bringing nutritious options into diverse urban neighborhoods.