Missouri Health

By March, most of your patients have forgotten about their New Year’s resolutions. Luckily, March is National Nutrition Month. March is a perfect time to Step Up to Nutrition and Health. In 1973, the American Dietetic Association created the National Nutrition Month. This month was created to promote healthful eating by providing nutrition guidance and focusing attention on the importance of making informed choices and developing sound physical activity habits. Step up today by making healthier lifestyle choices to improve your health and the health of your family, and you’ll reap the benefits for years to come. Small steps equal big rewards.

Remember these National Nutrition Month key messages to eat smart and stay physically active this month and all year long.

• The food and physical activity choices you make today — and every day — affect your health and how you feel today and in the future. Eating right and being physically active are keys to a healthy lifestyle. Daily physical activity seems to be where many are lacking. Physical activity helps prevent obesity, promotes weight loss and  helps control heart disease, high blood pressure, high blood fat levels and blood sugars. It is recommended that you walk 10,000 steps daily. It has been proven that wearing a pedometer will help you reach this 10,000 step goal. For more information on how to obtain a pedometer or start a walking program, contact your local registered dietitian or visit www.walking.about.com to obtain more walking information.

• 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. You can visit the website www.mypyramid.gov to determine your caloric needs or visit with your local registered dietitian.

• Get the most nutrition out of your calories. Choose the most nutritionally rich foods you can from each food group — those packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients but lower in calories. Reading food labels is an important way of determining which foods are better choices. To learn more about label reading or have a question regarding this, you can contact your local registered dietitian.

• 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.

National Nutrition Month reminds consumers that registered dietitians are the most valuable and credible source of timely, science-based food and nutrition information. For more information, contact your local registered dietitian.