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Focus on nutrition from the ground up Posted Mar 11, 2010
With the holidays far behind us and the chocolate-drizzled haze of Valentine's Day only a memory, healthy eating has become a priority for many.
That's one reason the American Dietetic Association has designated March as National Nutrition Month, with a special focus on "Nutrition From the Ground Up."
Monica Nyman, a registered dietitian with the Decatur Memorial Hospital Wellness Center, offered some tips from the dietetic association.
For people who are working to develop a healthy eating plan, Nyman encouraged starting with the basics. Emphasize fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy, lean meats, poultry, fish, beans and nuts, and work to cut out saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, salt and added sugars.
Try to eat a variety of foods. Fruits and veggies can come from a variety of sources such as the produce section, canned food aisle and freezer shelves. Be sure to rotate fish, beans and peas into your protein selections, Nyman advised, and aim for at least three servings of whole grains each day.
"Eating right doesn't have to be complicated," she wrote in an e-mail.
Look for nutrient-rich options to get the most out of the calories you consume by looking for lower-calorie foods laden with vitamins, minerals and fiber. Remember to keep track of portion sizes, Nyman advised.
She suggested that people institute a regular family meal time to help model healthy eating behaviors and teach children about nutrition.
Also important to maintaining a healthy diet is being physically active. Nyman advised those working toward developing a healthy eating plan to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day.
There are a variety of tools available on the association's National Nutrition Month Web page, www.eatright.org/nnm, such as event ideas for families, schools, offices and other venues; quizzes and games; and even a fad diet timeline including such off-the-wall weight-loss suggestions as vinegar and water, whale blubber, hay and heavy sedation.
agetsinger@herald-review.com 421-6968
To see more of Herald & Review, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.herald-review.com
Copyright © 2010, Herald and Review, Decatur, Ill.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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