03/13/2019
Welcome back from Spring Break! Time sure does fly by quickly. Each year during March, we celebrate National Nutrition Month by focusing on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Invest in yourself starting from today. Choose good nutrition, be physically active, and feel the difference!
Research has shown that healthy eating patterns (including the recommended amounts from each food group) can reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, at least 8 types of cancer, and obesity. Sadly, only 25% of people in the US include adequate amounts of vegetables and fruits. Similarly, physical activity over time can improve the mood, help you feel more energized and sleep better, increase focus and concentration, and improve blood pressure and sugar control.
If you have any medical conditions or take any medication, please consult your doctor first before making drastic dietary changes. Here are some tips to get you started:
Some creative ways to meet your daily fruit and vegetable goals (Fruits: 1-2 cups | Vegetables: 1.5-3 cups)
Fruits:
• Add fruit to oatmeal, such as apples, bananas, berries, and raisins
• Slice up fresh fruit for your sandwich instead of jelly, such as peanut butter and banana, or with berries or apples
• Consider a fruit and cheese plate if you have guests, instead of chips and dip.
Vegetables:
• Add color to salads with baby carrots, grape tomatoes, spinach leaves or mandarin oranges
• Stuff an omelet with vegetables with broccoli, squash, carrots, peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, and onions with sharp cheddar cheese.
• Make easy and colorful kabobs with mushrooms, peppers, and summer squash (zucchini) with salt and pepper to taste
Check out more tips and 20 Ways to Enjoy More Fruits and Vegetables at: www.eatright.org/nnm
MyPlate divides the meal into five food groups, which helps us make better food choices and build a balanced meal. The recommended amounts from each of the food groups can vary depending on our age, gender, height, weight, and activity level. Check out the details at https://www.choosemyplate.gov/
Look for ways to be physically active that fit your lifestyle
• Keep it fun and find a friend to keep you accountable.
• It can be as simple as parking at the back of the parking lot to get yourself walking more!
• Any activity is better than none!
Remember, small changes do add up! Start today and don’t give up! So… Eat Your Veggies and Go Rockets!