March is National Nutrition Month!

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“Go Further with Food” is this year’s theme for National Nutrition Month. This theme is important as each person can use food to make a real difference in the way they feel and improve their quality of life! Healthy eating habits can benefit each and every one of us!

Even the smallest changes can improve our health now and for the future – consider the following:

Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.

  • Focus on whole fruits rather than juice.
  • Snack on healthful foods.
  • Offer whole fruits as dessert for your family.
  • Vary your vegetables to include all the colors of the rainbow such as green, red, orange, purple, etc.
  • Add fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables to your meals.

Make half your grains whole grains. 

  • Choose whole-grain foods more often than refined grains.
  • Make at least half the amount of grains you eat each day whole grains.
  • Find high fiber, whole-grain foods by reading the Nutrition Facts label and ingredients list.

Move to low-fat and fat-free dairy.

  • Choose low-fat or fat-free milk and yogurt.
  • Buy low-fat or fat-free cheese more often than regular cheese.

Vary your protein routine. 

  • Mix up your protein foods to include seafood, beans, nuts, seeds, eggs, lean meats, and poultry.
  • Select seafood on occasion.
  • Add beans, peas, unsalted nuts and seeds in main dishes and as snacks.

Compare the saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars in your foods and beverages. 

  • Read the Nutrition Facts labels to find products with less saturated fat and sodium.
  • Use the ingredient list to find choices with less added sugars.
  • Reduce sugary beverages such as fruit drinks and soda.

What will you be doing to stay healthy!