March is National Nutrition Month

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has marked the month of March as National Nutrition Month® for 2019.

Its not unusual for a person to jump from one diet to another in the hopes of losing those extra pounds, but the truth of the matter is not every diet is geared for every person. There is no magic pill or patch that is going to work for everyone, so your best bet for losing weight is sensible nutrition.

Start your morning with a healthy breakfast that includes lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Maybe a breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, low-fat cheese, salsa and a whole wheat tortilla. If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to cook, try low-fat yogurt with fruit and whole grain cereal.

Fruits and veggies are a must with any healthy diet as they provide needed vitamins, minerals and fiber. Besides, those bright colors on your plate make your meals feel less like a diet.

Try to make at least half of your meal fruits and vegetables. Two cups of fruit and 2 ½ cups of vegetables should be your daily goal. Try whole wheat pasta with a cup of frozen, mixed vegetables (or fresh) along with low-fat mozzarella or parmesean cheese. It’s not only delicious, but you’ll have those veggies finished off before you know it.

Watching your portions is one of the biggest things about eating healthy. Many of us think we know what a cup of something looks like, but you may be surprised. As you start your healthy eating regimen, pull out those measuring cups and use them for portion control. Another good idea with portion control is looking at the size of the plate you’re using for your meals.

There is a difference between a 10-inch plate and an 8-inch plate, so filling half your plate with fruits and veggies is going to be different from plate to plate. Choose one size, if possible, and use that size for all your meals.

You really don’t need to feel as though you’re hungry all the time or missing out on something because eating healthy can also include snacks. Just make sure they’re the right ones.

It may be tempting to grab a bag of your favorite chips, stick your head in and not come up until you’ve reached the bottom, but overdoing it on carbs can make things worse instead of better.

Try raw veggies with low-fat cottage cheese. A tablespoon of peanut butter along with an apple or a banana is a healthy alternative. Add in protein, nuts and dairy and you have a good, nutritious snack to help you through that 2 p.m. lull.

Water, water, water. We hear that all the time, drink more water, but it really is better for you than sugary drinks or those filled with caffeine. Your thirst is quenched better with water than anything else.

You can go out to eat and still eat healthy, just be aware of the menu items and look for the heart healthy options most restaurants serve.

Cooking at home can be not only healthy, but cost effective and bringing the whole family in on the preparation adds a little extra love to everything you eat and teaches children early about healthy nutrition. Family meal times with the TV, phones and other electronics turned off are priceless.

Of course keeping active is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. Just 30-minutes a day will make all the difference. You don’t have to hit the gym, but even a walk after dinner or a game of catch with the kids will work.