Celebrate National Nutrition Month® & Eat For Your Health!

National Nutrition Month®, sponsored by the American Dietetic Association, focuses on making informed food choices and developing sound eating habits.

Studies have consistently shown links between diet and serious illness. A healthy diet can lower the development of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, cancer, blindness and birth defects.

To improve your wellbeing and reduce your risk for disease, the American Dietetic Association recommends these healthy eating tips:

• Familiarize yourself with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food guide pyramid. Visit www.mypyramid.gov to learn more about balancing food intake with physical exercise. You will also gain a better understanding of constructing a healthy diet using the five food groups.



• Cut out trans fats from your diet. Minimizing your consumption of food containing trans fats is a key step toward healthy eating. When grocery shopping, pay close attention to the nutritional labels and avoid items with these harmful fats. Some restaurants are helping with this initiative by eliminating trans fats from the foods they serve, but you still need to make responsible choices from the menu.



• Stop boredom eating! Next time you are tempted to eat out of boredom, why not indulge in a calorie-free alternative instead? Find something enjoyable to do like catching up with an old friend, reading a good book, or taking a walk. You can even use the time to find some delicious and healthy recipes at www.eatright.org.



• Be a defensive eater. It takes the brain about 20 minutes after a meal to register that you are full. So slow down, enjoy your food, and give your body a chance to recognize that you are no longer hungry.



• Introduce “healthy snacking” to your routine. By snacking on the “right” foods, not only are you adding extra nutrients to your diet, but this is also a healthy way to get extra energy during the day. Choose snacks that are high in nutritional value, but low in fat, sugar, and salt. Avoid the vending machine at work by packing snacks with lots of fiber and complex carbohydrates.

What you eat plays a considerable role in your overall health, so take steps today toward eliminating your poor eating habits. To supplement your improved diet, visit your health insurance company’s website for information on other wellness programs.

More Wellness Watch Topics:

American Heart Month