National Nutrition Month challenges you to 'eat right'

Published March 20, 2009
By Mrs. Raven Patterson
Maxwell Health and Wellness Center

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Hello, may I take your order please? Yes, I would like the grilled chicken over brown rice, steamed broccoli and a side salad with low fat Italian dressing. Are these the selections you make when eating out?

Hopefully your answer is "yes!" Since March is National Nutrition Month, the American Dietetic Association and the Maxwell Health and Wellness Center challenge you to change your lifestyle and "Eat Right."

While we cannot do much to change our genes, we can control lifestyle behaviors such as regular physical activity and making the right nutrition choices. The food and physical activity options we make today, and everyday, affect our health and how we feel presently as well as in the future. "Eating right" and being physically active are keys to a healthy lifestyle.

We can build healthier diet habits and start down a path of health and wellness by choosing low-calorie, nutrient-rich foods that provide significant amount of vitamins, minerals and fiber. A well balanced daily diet should emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat dairy products.

Other options may include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts. It is always a good idea to focus on foods that are low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium) and added sugars.

A few healthy "Rules of Thumb" to keep in mind when reading food labels include: low cholesterol at 25 milligrams per single food item, or less than 300 milligrams/day, low fat at 3 grams of total fat per 100 calories and low sugar 5 grams of sugar per serving.

A healthy diet and a lifestyle that includes frequent physical activity are our best weapons to prevent and fight chronic disease. Aim for 30-60 minutes of physical activity three to five times per week and always remember that a calorie is a calorie, regardless of whether it comes from a chocolate bar or a fruit salad.

Our goal should be to get the most nutrition out of our calories. It is up to you! Do you accept the challenge to change your lifestyle and "Eat Right?"