Eat Smart to Stay Healthy, for a Lifetime

National Nutrition Month...

     created in 1973 and celebrated in March, promotes healthful eating by providing realistic nutrition guidance. This year the theme is Eat Smart to Stay Healthy. This means being smart about the foods you eat - knowing what you are eating and making wise food choices.

There is no such thing as "good foods" or "bad foods".

It’s more a question of how much and how often you eat them. For example, go easy on foods that are high in calories and fat.

You know you’re eating well if you can answer "yes" to each of the following statements.

1. You enjoy a variety of foods. Eating a variety of foods from each food group provides you with the nutrients you need to be healthy. The four food groups are:
   • Grain products
   • Fruits and Vegetables
   • Milk products
   • Meat and Alternatives


2. You choose high fiber cereals, breads, and other grain products.
   • Eat breads, cereals, and pasta that are enriched or whole grain.
   • Look for whole grain products made with wheat bran, oat bran, whole wheat, oats, rye or flax.


3. You include vegetables and fruit in your meals and snacks. Choose dark red, orange or green vegetables or fruits. That way, you’ll take in antioxidants like beta-carotene and vitamin C, along with many other substances that keep you healthy.



4. You choose lower fat dairy products, leaner meats and foods prepared with little or no fat. These choices can help maintain a healthy weight, and may also help prevent heart disease and some types of cancer.
   • Choose lower fat dairy products, leaner meats and legumes more often.
   • Control the amount of fat you add when you cook, and at the table.


5. You maintain a healthy body weight by including routine exercise and healthy eating. Healthy eating, and physical activity helps you maintain the weight that’s healthy for you.



6. You become aware of how your daily habits influence your lifestyle choices. Write a daily “mission statement” to motivate you to action.