The Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics celebrates National Nutrition Month every March. It is a nutrition education campaign that emphasizes the importance of eating healthy, making healthy choices and adopting healthier eating and physical activity habits. This year, the Academy has chosen the theme
The Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics celebrates National Nutrition Month every March. It is a nutrition education campaign that emphasizes the importance of eating healthy, making healthy choices and adopting healthier eating and physical activity habits. This year, the Academy has chosen the theme, “Bite Into a Healthy Lifestyle”! The main focus of this year’s National Nutrition Month is to consume fewer calories (if needed), making healthy and informed food choices and to get daily exercise because we all know that exercise helps to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, reduces the risk for chronic conditions, such as diabetes, and it promotes overall health!
What changes are you going to make to adopt a healthier lifestyle this month? One of my goals is to make sure that I am getting 10,000 steps per day! My office started this challenge for March, which is right in line with National Nutrition Month’s goals. I have noticed that I have been sitting more than I should, so this challenge will help me to stay accountable!
Here is some more information from the Academy’s website:
A healthful lifestyle, with regular physical activity and an eating pattern chosen to meet individual nutrient needs within calorie limits, is vital to maintaining good health and quality of life.
A healthy eating plan emphasizes nutrient-rich foods and beverages, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products, seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, beans and peas, and nuts and seeds and limits foods with added fats, sugars, and salt.
Nutrient needs should be met primarily through consuming foods. Foods provide an array of nutrients and other components that are thought to have beneficial effects on health.
An eating pattern based on the Dietary Guidelines and MyPlate recommendations can accommodate the food preferences, cultural traditions and customs of many diverse groups.
MyPlate can help you use the Dietary Guidelines to:
- Find your balance between food and physical activity to manage your weight;
- Reduce food and food components linked to increased health risks;
- Increase food and nutrients that promote health while staying within your calorie needs;
- Build a healthful eating pattern
A registered dietitian nutritionist can provide sound, easy-to-follow personalized nutrition advice to meet your lifestyle, preferences, and hea