For some, the most challenging aspect of losing weight, or keeping it off, is making informed food choices.
March is National Nutrition Month and a great time to learn more about making smart eating decisions.
As part of National Nutrition Month, the American Dietetic Association provides lots of information on their site, including an interactive quiz and games. I also wanted to share some tips provided by Lisa Jones, MA, RD, LDN. She's a dietician with the American Dietetic Association, with 14 years of experience. She recommends:
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If
portions are confusing, try drawing them.
Sketch an 8-inch plate, cut it in half, and then cut the left side in half again.
The right side should be veggies, and the left side should be a protein serving the size of your palm with a starch like rice or pasta.
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Stop staring at food labels, just check the
ingredient list. "If it's not in the first five ingredients there's probably not enough of it to make a difference."
The healthy stuff, that is.
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For help understanding how to personalize the food pyramid, visit
MyPyramid.gov and use the Menu Planner tool.
How much thought do you really put into your food before putting it on your plate? These resources are available to support your efforts during National Nutrition Month & beyond.