March is National Nutrition Month and is sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Association. This year’s theme is "Step Up to Nutrition & Health."
The 2006 key messages are based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist and food safety expert Dr. Beth Reames.
More information about the Dietary Guidelines and the MyPyramid food guidance system is available online at http://www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines and http://mypyramid.gov/.
"The food and physical activity choices made today - and everyday - affect your health and how you feel today and in the future," Reames says, stressing, "Eating right and being physically active are keys to a healthy lifestyle."
The nutritionist says to make smart choices from every food group. Give your body the balanced nutrition it needs by eating a variety of nutrient-packed foods every day. Just be sure to stay within your daily caloric needs.
Get the most nutrition out of your calories. Choose the most nutritionally rich foods you can from each food group each day - those packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients but lower in calories.
Find your balance between food and physical activity. Regular physical activity is important for your overall health and fitness, plus it helps control body weight, promotes a feeling of well-being and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.
Play it safe with foods. Prepare, handle and store food properly to keep you and your family healthy.
For additional information about eating healthfully using the Food Guide Pyramid, contact the LSU AgCenter Extension agent in your parish. For related nutrition information, click on the Family and Home link on the LSU AgCenter home page, at www.lsuagcenter.com.
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On the Internet: LSU AgCenter: www.lsuagcenter.com
Source: Beth Reames (225) 578-3929, or breames@agcenter.lsu.edu
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture