March is National Nutrition Month

Posted March 1st, 2012 by mfoster & filed under Blog, Member News, Newsroom.

National Nutrition Month is a campaign created to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. 

Before you eat, think about what goes on your plate or in your bowl.  Try the following tips to “Get Your Plate in Shape”:

• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.   Eat a variety of vegetables, especially dark-green, red and orange vegetables plus beans and peas.  Add fruit to meals and snacks. 
• Make at least half your grains whole.  Choose 100% whole-grain breads, cereals, crackers, pasta and brown rice.
• Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk.  Fat-free and low-fat milk have the same amount of calcium and other essential nutrients as whole milk, but less fat and calories.
• Vary your protein choices.  Eat a variety of foods from the protein food group each week such as seafood, nuts and beans, as well as lean meat, poultry and eggs.  Keep meat and poultry portions small and lean.
• Cut back on sodium and empty calories from solid fats and added sugars.  Drink water instead of sugary drinks.  Select fruits for dessert.  Choose 100% fruit juice instead of fruit-flavored drinks.  Compare salt (sodium) in foods and choose those with lower numbers. Switch from solid fats to oils when preparing food.
• Enjoy your food but eat less.  Avoid oversized portion of food.  Use a smaller plate, bowl or glass. 
• Be physically active your way.  Pick activities that you like and start by doing what you can, at least 10 minutes at a time.