Who declared March as National Nutrition Month?
National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Assn. and its foundation. The ADA initiated it in March 1973 as a weeklong event, "National Nutrition Week." It became a monthlong observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition. The campaign is designed to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.
What is this year's slogan?
This year, the slogan "Food & Fitness: Build a Healthy Lifestyle" reinforces the importance of nutrition and physical activity as key components of a healthful lifestyle. The slogan communicates the flexibility of nutrition recommendations, dietary guidelines and the Food Guide Pyramid as the framework for daily food choices that can be personalized to each individual's food preferences, nutritional needs, health status and lifestyle. It is a call to action that challenges Americans to take responsibility for their food, nutrition and physical activity habits.
What do the Dietary Guidelines for Americans include?
The guidelines begin with the basic ABC's for the health of you and your family.
Aim for fitness. That means aim for a healthy weight and be physically active every day. A healthy weight is key to a long, healthy life. Over time, even a small decrease in calories eaten and a small increase in physical activity can prevent weight gain or encourage weight loss.
Engage in 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity most, preferably all, days of the week. Make physical activity a regular part of your routine. Moderate physical activity is any activity that requires about as much energy as walking two miles in 30 minutes.
Build a healthy base. Let the Food Guide Pyramid guide you so that you get the vitamins, minerals, energy and other healthful substances from foods your body needs each day. Make grains (especially whole grains), fruits and vegetables the foundation of your meals. This forms a base for good nutrition and health. Foods that are safe from harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites and chemical contaminants are vital for healthful eating.
There are many healthful eating patterns. Different people like different foods and like to prepare the same foods in different ways. Because foods within the same food group differ in their array of nutrients and other healthful substances, choosing a variety helps you get the nutrients and fiber you need. It can also keep your meals interesting from day to day. Also choose some low-fat dairy products and low-fat foods from the meat and beans group each day. It's fine to enjoy fats and sweets occasionally.
Choose sensibly. Select a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat. Choose beverages and foods that limit your sugar intake. Choose and prepare foods with less salt. Choose low-fat dairy products, cooked dried beans and peas, fish, and lean meats and poultry.
Use the Nutrition Facts Label to help you choose foods lower in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol. Read the label to compare and help identify foods lower in sodium. Don't let foods high in sugar crowd out other foods you need to maintain health, such as low-fat milk or other good sources of calcium. Use herbs or spices on foods like grilled or roasted entrees, baked potatoes and salads to help limit sodium intake.
As a consumer, I am getting really confused about nutrition information. Is there any way to judge whether the nutrition information is reliable?
Practice and effort are needed to determine which nutrition messages are valid in the fast-changing nutrition scene.
Know some of the signs of unreliable sources:
Does it sound too good to be true?
Are many superlatives or dramatic statements (best, longest, most, worst) used?
Are claims made to prevent, cure or improve a variety of unrelated health problems?
Are immediate or guaranteed results promised?
Is the person providing the information also selling a product to solve the problem?
Nutrition information is objective and reliable if it has been prepared by a legitimate and reputable source.
New nutrition information leaps from the headlines on a regular basis. This provides us with many opportunities to practice determining which messages are credible. In March National Nutrition Month there's no time like the present to start practicing.
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