Each March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reminds people to return to the basics of healthful eating through National Nutrition Month. Every year there is a new theme but the message never changes. The theme this year is ”Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle” which encourages us to focus on eating fewer calories, make informed food choices and get daily exercise in order to reach and maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease and promote our overall health.
Here are the basics to follow:
1. Eat a healthy breakfast everyday
2. Increase your fruit and vegetable intake
3. Choose whole grains
4. Switch to fat-free or low-fat dairy products
5. Cut back on sodium and empty calories from fat and added sugars
6. Get into a regular physical routine
7. Read food labels and watch your portion sizes
Cathy Boland, CDM
Director of Nutrition at PPh