We Can!’s GO, SLOW, and WHOA foods

Focus on Food Choices

GO foods are the lowest in fat and added sugar. They also are “nutrient dense” (which means they are a much better source of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients important to health) and relatively low in calories. Enjoy GO foods almost any time. Examples of GO foods are fruits (fresh, frozen, or canned in juice), vegetables (fresh, frozen without added fat, canned without added sodium), whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk products, lean meat, poultry, fish, beans, egg whites, or egg substitute.

SLOW foods are higher in fat, added sugar, and/or calories than GO foods. SLOW foods include vegetables with added fat, white refined bread flour, low-fat mayonnaise, and 2 percent low-fat milk. Have SLOW foods
sometimes or less often.

We Can! Parent Tips: Making Healthier Food Choices

As a parent, you want to give your family the best food you can. Serving healthier foods in the appropriate servings per food group and calorie level is one of the best ways to ensure that your children are getting proper nutrition without eating too many calories. The simple tips provided here and on the We Can! Web site (http://wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov) can help you plan and prepare meals and snacks to help your family get the most out of the calories they consume.