Lead With Your Fork

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Foods that require a fork (or spoon) to eat are usually chock-full of nutrients. This idea is beautifully illustrated in our new Lead With Your Fork poster.

Your students or clients will love this light-hearted take on the MyPlate concept that uses colorful photos of real food arranged in the shape of a person/plate, with a fork at the ready for some healthy eating. 

Leading with your fork is catchy phrase that might just make people stop and think before they eat. Here are some talking points to go with this concept:

• Foods that you can eat out of a bag with your hands (think chips, fast food) usually provide lots of calories but not much in terms of nutrients.
• Foods that you usually need a fork or spoon to eat (think salads, soups, vegetables, and lean protein) are usually nutrient-dense, healthier choices.
• Leading with your fork rules out eating while driving!  
• Leading with your fork means eating mindfully — sitting down, putting the food on a plate, taking small bites, putting your fork down between bites, chewing slowly, taking time to taste the food.
• There are exceptions to every rule, and leading with your fork is no different. Yes, raw baby carrots are healthy and no, you usually don’t eat those with a fork. Same with an apple and other foods. But in general, the rule works. 
• The next time you eat, ask yourself, could I eat this with a fork? If not, stop and think about whether it’s a healthy choice. Try it and report back!

Hollis Bass, MEd, RD, LD