Spotlight on Nutrition
By Dina Lawson
(March 2013) National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.
Registered Dietician Day, also celebrated in March, increases awareness of registered dieticians at the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and recognizes RDs for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives.
History: Initiated in March 1973 as a weeklong event, “National Nutrition Week” became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition
Sponsor: The American Dietetic Association’s mission is to promote optimal nutrition and well-being for all people by advocating for its members. With more than 70,000 members, ADA is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The majority of ADA’s members are registered dieticians, and dietetic technicians, registered.
‘Nutrition from the Ground up’ Key Messages:
Start with the basics. Eating right does not have to be complicated. A healthy eating plan emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low fat or fat-free dairy and includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, and nuts. A healthy eating plan is also low in saturated fats, Tran’s fats, cholesterol, salt and added sugars.
Make calories count by thinking nutrient-rich rather than ‘good’ or ‘bad’ foods. Most food choices should be packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients–and lower in calories. Be aware of portion sizes. Even low-calorie foods can add up when portions are larger than you need.
Balancing physical activity and a healthful diet is your best recipe for managing weight and promoting overall health and fitness. Set a goal to be physically active at least 30 minutes every day.
This information replicated from the website: www.eatright.org, for National Nutrition Month. National Nutrition Month is the property of the American Dietetic Association. Its use is encouraged in accordance with ADA’s published guidelines
Dina Lawson is a Registered Dietician and member of the American Dietetic Association.