Unlock a Healthier You: Six Practical Steps for National Nutrition Month.
National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, held throughout March. It encourages everyone to learn about making informed food choices while developing healthful eating and physical activity habits. If you’re eager to participate in this month’s holiday, here are five simple steps to make healthier changes in your daily lifestyle.
Create tasty foods at home.
Make a positive change by cooking more meals at home. This allows you to control the ingredients in your food and can be a fun activity to share with family or friends.
Control your portion size.
Focus on portion size to eat right. Be mindful of how much you’re eating, as we often consume more than we realize. Awareness of portion sizes helps prevent overeating.
Consider eating a variety of nutritious foods from all food groups:
- Fruits: Choose whole, cut or pureed fresh, frozen, dried or canned in 100% juice. Have as a snack or dessert substitute.
- Vegetables: Try colorful veggies steamed, sauteed, roasted or raw in salads, sides or main dishes.
- Whole Grains: Look for those as the first ingredient. Opt for brown rice, barley or quinoa and whole-wheat pasta and wraps.
- Protein: Include seafood, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds, soy, eggs, lean meats and poultry. Try meatless meals with beans.
- Low-fat or fat-free dairy options: Choose fat-free milk and yogurt. Use fat-free Greek yogurt for condiments like sour cream.
- Reduce Sources of Added Sugars: Add spices and fruits to plain fat-free yogurt. Choose jam with no added sugar. Opt for water over sweetened drinks or use a fruit infuser.
Get to know food labels.
Reading nutrition facts labels empowers you to shop, eat, and drink smarter.
Make physical activity part of your day.
Be physically active, most days with 150-plus minutes of moderate activity weekly to promote better health and reduce chronic disease risk.
Meet with you primary care provider.
Lastly, avoid overwhelming yourself with too many changes at once. Start with one day and one meal at a time. If you need help developing a plan, consider meeting with your primary care provider. Scheduling an appointment, even when you’re not sick, allows you to discuss health concerns, nutrition, and create a personalized meal plan. Your provider will guide you through conversation, screenings, and goal setting, helping you take control of your health and plan for your future well-being. Book an appointment today.
Book an appointment today.
Book an appointment with your primary care provider today. Don’t have a healthcare provider? Book an appointment with one of our P3 Medical Group providers.
