March is National Nutrition Month
Wondering which nutrition choices to make to stay your healthiest? Here are five basic tips that are sure to keep you on the right track.
Every year in March we celebrate NationalNutrition Month. What a great opportunity to take a few moments and think about the one thing we all have in common – we all feed ourselves every day. How we do it and what we choose to eat is up to us. There are so many choices, so many opportunities, distractions, and even temptations that throw us curves and can even completely throw us off our best intentions to eat well and exercise. Here are some tips from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that will help us stay on course:
1. Eat breakfast
There’s no better way to start your morning than with a healthy breakfast. Include lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Try oatmeal cooked with low-fat milk, sliced almonds and berries, or top a whole grain waffle with yogurt and fruit.
2. Make half your plate fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables add color, flavor and texture plus vitamins, minerals and fiber to your plate. Make 2 cups of fruit and 2 ½ cups of vegetables your daily goal.
3. Watch portion sizes
Do you know if you’re eating the proper portion size? Get out the measuring cups and see how close your portions are to the recommended serving size. Use half your plate for fruits and vegetables and the other half for grains and lean meat, poultry, seafood or beans. Top off with a glass of milk!
4. Be active
Regular physical activity lowers blood pressure and helps your body control stress and weight. Start by doing what you can for 10 minutes at a time. Adults should get two hours and 30 minutes per week of physical activity.
5. Fix healthy snacks
Healthy snacks can sustain your energy levels between meals. Whenever possible, make your snacks combination snacks. Chose from two or more food groups: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, lean protein and nuts. Try low-fat yogurt with fruit, or a small portion of nuts with an apple or banana.
For more tips, check out the full list of 15 Health Tips for 2015 from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Remember, eating and living well is about finding balance. Do the things you enjoy and love, do your best, expect ups and downs and – most importantly – enjoy the ride. Making changes requires some effort, but when you find balance, you will see great results. Have a happy Nutrition Month – every month!