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Feature Articles: Health
Step Up to Nutrition and HealthTammy Roberts, MS, RD, LD, Nutrition and
Health Education Specialist in Barton County |
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It’s National Nutrition Month® and the American Dietetic
Association is challenging us to Step Up to Nutrition and
Health.
There are five key messages for health for this year’s
campaign. They have based these messages on the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans which were released in January of last
year. Here are this year’s tips to help us make sound nutrition
and physical activity choices:
The food and physical activity choices made today - and
everyday – affect your health and how you feel today and in the
future. Eating right and being physically active are keys to a
healthy lifestyle. For more information, go to
www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines or
www.mypyramid.gov.
Make smart choices from every food group. Give your
body the balanced nutrition it needs by eating a variety of
nutrient-packed foods every day. Just be sure to stay within
your daily calorie needs. On the food pyramid, foods are grouped
according to the nutrients they provide. Choosing a variety of
foods from each group assures you are getting important
nutrients for your health.
Get the most nutrition out of your calories. Choose
the most nutritionally rich food you can from each food group
every day – those packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and
other nutrients but lower in calories. The fruit and vegetable
groups are a great way to get nutrient-dense, low calorie foods.
They are also packed with fiber. We need 20-35 grams of fiber
every day.
Find your balance between food and physical activity.
Regular physical activity is important for your overall health
and fitness plus it helps control body weight, promotes a
feeling of well-being and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.
Adults should be active for at least 30 minutes most days to
reduce the risk of chronic disease. Children should be active
for one hour on most days.
Play it safe with foods. Prepare, handle and store
food properly to keep you and your family safe. To avoid
foodborne illness, wash your hands often and keep food contact
surfaces clean. Keep raw, cooked and ready-to-eat foods separate
while shopping, preparing and storing foods. Cook foods to a
safe temperature and chill promptly after the meal.
Keep in mind that March, National Nutrition Month®, serves as our reminder to make healthy food and physical activity choices. It’s important to continue to make those wise choices daily throughout the year.
Last update: Monday, August 14, 2006
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