March is National Nutrition Month! Nutrition from the Ground Up

National Nutrition Month is here, and it is a great time to take a closer look at what you are eating from the ground up! This year’s theme is “Nutrition from the Ground Up”; the American dietetic Association reminds everyone that an easy way to focus on eating better is to start with the basics: build your nutritional health from the ground up.

Think about the base of your diet. Are you getting at least 5 cups of fruits and vegetables every day? Are at least half of the grains you eat whole grains? Take this quiz to rate your eating habits – find out where you need to improve: http://old.eatright.org/videos/nnm/2009%20quiz/index3.swf

Here are some easy tips to start improving your nutrition from the ground up:
• Focus on fruits and veggies: add a serving of fruit or vegetable to one meal per day, and then increase the next week. Before you know it you will be eating 5 cups a day!
• Look locally: spring is just around the corner and there will be great farmers markets starting up soon. Farmers markets are a great way to support your community and get the freshest produce around! Also check out the Rochester Public Market year round.
• Make Calories Count: know how many calories your body needs in a day. This depends on your body and your activity level. Check out www.mypyramid.gov to find your daily calorie needs.
• Test your taste buds: try new recipes that include some whole grains you have never tried, like brown rice or if you are feeling adventurous even quinoa!
• Don’t forget to treat yourself: eating healthy does not mean you have to deprive yourself of a treat now and then. Just reach for a healthier treat like fruit with yogurt for dessert.

Foodlink has a few great ways to get involved:
• Pound for Pound Challenge – help yourself by getting healthy while pledging your pounds to help support Foodlink and feed the hungry in our community. Log on and pledge your weight loss at www.pfpchallenge.com
• Eat Well Live Well Challenge – Foodlink employees are embarking on this year’s Eat Well Live Well Challenge for the third year in a row! We will be increasing our intake of fruits and vegetables and striving to take 10,000 steps per day!
• Visit www.eatright.org/nnm for more tips and ideas on how to celebrate National Nutrition Month!
• Don’t forget Registered Dietitian Day is March 10th!

Denise Mercury, RD

Nutrition Resource Manager