National Nutrition Month: Eat a variety of nutritious foods
March is National Nutrition Month©. Join the East Texas Food Bank and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in celebration by focusing on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.
This week, the focus is on eating a variety of nutritious foods every day. Here are some tips to help guide you:
- Include healthful foods from all food groups – Eating healthy doesn’t have to be complicated. You should enjoy the food you eat. In choosing nutrient-rich foods, you’ll notice they are familiar, easy to find and represent the five basic food groups. Achieving balance and building a healthier eating pattern can be simple and low-stress. More information
- Hydrate healthfully – About 60 percent of your body is made of water. It plays a role in keeping all of your body systems working well. Staying well hydrated can help reduce your risk of developing kidney stones, urinary tract infections and constipation. More information
- Learn how to read nutrition facts panels – Look at serving size, total calories, Percent Daily Value and nutrition terms. Choose low in saturated fat, added sugars and sodium. Be sure to get enough vitamins, minerals and fiber. More information
- Practice portion control – A serving is a specific amount of food or drink. It is defined by a common measurement, such as cups, ounces or tablespoons. A portion is the amount of food that happens to end up on the plate. Think of portion size as the actual amount of food kids choose to eat at breakfast, lunch, dinner or as a snack. Portions may be larger or smaller than the recommended serving sizes. More information
- Take time to enjoy your food – Kids in families who eat together are more confident, have better vocabularies and higher test scores. It can be tricky to schedule regular meals together, but the strong bond your family will share is worth the effort. More information
Information provided by eatright.org