March is National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month 2010. The theme is “Nutrition from the Ground up.” To improve your family’s eating habits, the American

Dietetic Association recommends starting with these basics:

1. Focus on fruits and veggies: Take a good look at your current diet and you’ll probably realize you’re not eating enough fruits or vegetables. Add a serving each day to one meal and increase it every few weeks. Adding more of these foods into your diet is important whether you buy frozen, fresh or organic.

2. Look locally: From farmer’s markets to community-supported agriculture, you have many options to find new, fresh foods in your area. This can be a great way to eat well and support your community at the same time.

3. Make calories count: “Too often, people think of foods as good or bad and that only those on the ‘good foods’ list are okay to eat.


When you’re choosing between options, focus instead on the one with more of the vitamins and nutrients that you need. Sometimes, foods with fewer calories aren’t always the healthiest options. To figure out how many calories you need to achieve a healthy weight, visit www.mypyramid.gov.

4. Test your taste buds: A healthy eating plan emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy and includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans and nuts. “Those are the basics, but within this wide range there are always opportunities to try new things and find new favorites. Expand your horizons. Try a fish you’ve never eaten before or find a new vegetable recipe. By testing your self, you might find new healthy favorites to add to your regular grocery list.

5. Trick yourself with treats: A healthful diet doesn’t mean deprivation.

If you have a sweet tooth, have fruit and yogurt for dessert.

If you want a snack in the afternoon, have some trail mix or nuts.

There is no reason to go hungry just because you’re making healthful changes.