Today is the kick off to National Nutrition Month®
This event is sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as a way to raise awareness of the importance of healthy food choices.
This year's theme is "Eat Right, Your Way Every Day!" This is to remind that healthy foods can fit into anyone's daily diet. It does not matter what your personal preferences are, healthy meals are a part of any ethnic, cultural, and lifestyles.
Sometimes, we think that healthy eating means we need to completely change the way we eat and oust all our favorite foods for boring meals. But that could not be further from the truth.
There are simple ways to change your favorite meals with one or two substitutions that can turn a fatty meal into a nutritious meal without sacrificing taste.
Here are some general guidelines to help your preferred meal plan be nutritious and healthy!
1. Make sure that you always have breakfast. It is so important for everyone to eat breakfast but especially children. They are growing and need nourishment after a good night's sleep. Just think how many hours it has been since they ate.
2. Color your plate with fruits and vegetables. You don't have to color the whole plate, just half your plate. With so many fruits and vegetables to choose from, help children find their favorites to include at each meal.
3. Watch your portion sizes. Teach children to use their hands as a guide to how much to serve on their plate. A fist size for starches and the palm for protein. If you are dining out consider splitting a meal. Many restaurants offer meals that are way too big for our body's needs.
4. I know this month we are focusing on nutrition but nutrition goes hand in hand with exercise. Choose fun physical activities that the whole family can do together. It does not feel like exercise when you are having fun. A healthy body needs about 1 hour of physical activity each day.
5. Choose healthy snacks from the five food groups of MyPlate.
6. Read food labels when you are grocery shopping. Get the kids to help. This is great way to involve kids in the hunt to find healthier food choices for your recipes and meals.
7. Drink plenty of water. According to the Institute of Medicine, men need about 13 cups and women need about 9 cups of water each day. It is also so important for children to get enough water.
8. Make time to eat together as a family. You might be surprised to learn that many studies have shown health benefits for children who eat regularly as a family.
9. Jump into the kitchen and try out some of your favorite recipes. Cooking at home ensures that you know what you are eating, tends to be healthier than eating out, rewarding and cost-effective. Bring the children in and have them help.
10. Eat a balanced meal. Whatever your lifestyle choices are choose foods from each of the five food groups.
National Nutrition Month Resources
Resource page for teachers and health educators
National Nutrition Month Printable Pledge Cards and Certificates
For Kids:
email
print
share
tweet
0 Comments