Add Color To Your Diet For National Nutrition Month

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Add Color To Your Diet For National Nutrition Month

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/217742.php

March is National Nutrition Month®, an annual nutrition education and

information campaign created by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). The

International Food Information Council Foundation is pleased to partner with ADA

on this effort to focus attention on the importance of making informed food

choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. This year's

theme, " Eat Right with Color, " reinforces the importance of making room for

fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and dairy on consumer's plates.

And the good news is that there are lots of options in grocery stores and

restaurants to help people consume a colorful diet.

" A great start to a colorful diet includes fruits and vegetables, but you don't

have to stop there, " says nne Edge, MS, RD, FADA, Senior Vice

President of Nutrition & Food Safety, International Food Information Council

Foundation and former President of the American Dietetic Association. " Frozen

and canned fruits and vegetables can offer equal nutrition compared to fresh,

and other packaged foods such as brown rice, yogurt, cereal, soup and juice can

also play an important role in a healthful diet. "

Nutrition Insights to Help You " Eat Right with Color "

-- Dive into Color with Functional Foods Functional Foods are foods that may

provide a health benefit beyond basic nutrition. Examples can include fruits,

vegetables, whole grains as well as fortified foods and beverages. Whether it's

the deep red in cherries, bright orange in an apricot or the deep green of

spinach, the color of certain fruits and vegetables is often connected to the

health benefit of the food. Plan meals around a vegetable dish like a soup,

stir-fry or veggie kabobs, and try snacking on fruit for dessert.

-- Add Variety Everyday The end of summer does not have to mean the end of your

favorite seasonal produce. Food processing and technology make it possible for

us to enjoy seasonal foods year round. For example, find fresh tomatoes in the

produce section of the grocery store (even in the winter!) or add jarred

sun-dried or canned diced tomatoes to your favorite recipe. The choices are

endless.

-- Keep a Food Diary Track the calories you eat and drink, as well as how much

you move. Research has found successful weight " losers " tend to regularly track

their weight, food intake and activity. Regularly write down what and how much

you eat and drink. Aim to record at least three days of intake and activity; the

longer your journal, the more information you will give yourself about your

daily routine. At the end of each day, add up the number of calories you ate

that day. Is it higher or lower than what you need?

-- Be a Life-Long Learner There are many misperceptions about food. Know that

all foods can be a part of a healthful diet. In fact, the more science-based

information you have about your food and how it's grown and produced, the more

you can apply this knowledge to achieve a healthful lifestyle.