Enjoy Variety of Food Choices
What does March mean to you? Maybe it's that long-awaited first day of Spring. Or maybe it's St. Patrick's Day. Palm Sunday also is in March. There may be weddings to go to, or birthday parties to attend. There are many other events that happen in March.National Nutrition Month
One event that occurs for the entire month of March is National Nutrition Month. What is that? Good question! National Nutrition Month is a time when Nutritional professionals throughout the country campaign for the promotion of healthy eating.
Each year a different theme is introduced to commemorate healthy eating, as well as healthy lifestyles, for promotion of health. The theme for this year is "Enjoy the Variety of Food Choices." The goal of this year's theme is to focus on the many food choices available, and how any food in today's diverse marketplace can fit into a healthy eating plan.
"Yeah, right!", you say. "French fries, burgers, chocolate, pies and cookies, and ice cream all fit into a healthy diet. I can have ice cream and cookies for breakfast, a double cheeseburger and large order of fries for lunch, topped off with a milkshake. Then I'll have a large double meat, double cheese pizza for dinner with a large soda! And since you're telling me that any food can be part of a healthy eating plan, I'm doing OK." Well, not quite!
Moderation Is The Key
The key is moderation and, once again, variety. Unless you have a medical condition which requires you to follow a strict diet, you truly can "have your cake and eat it too." You can enjoy all of the foods mentioned above, but not at the same time, and not in such large quantities. Why not try a single cheeseburger and regular order of fries for lunch preceded by a healthy breakfast (for example, bowl of whole grain cereal, toast with a small amount of margarine or butter, nonfat milk, fresh fruit) followed by a healthy dinner (for example, baked chicken breast without the skin, steamed vegetables, baked potato with fat-free sour cream)?
The goal is to strive to eat healthy but realize that there are no "good" or "bad" foods. True, there are foods that are more nutritious than others but they can be part of your eating plan, too.
Commemorative Events
Now that you realize what National Nutrition Month is about, you may be wondering what is done to commemorate this event. If you work in a school, you may see special educational events to help children better understand good nutrition and it's importance, or promotion of healthy eating and lifestyles at various work sites. The possibilities for promotional ideas are seemingly endless. Nutrition booths to provide nutrition information and topics can be set up, or healthy eating can be made into a contest.
For example, at Long Beach Community Medical Center, the Food and Nutrition Services Department is raffling a Mountain Bike to the person who purchases the most healthy entrees during the month of March. What constitutes "healthy" has been predetermined.
Who knows, you may even see promotions in grocery stores or a sporting event to commemorate this month. Even if you don't see anything in your area promoting National Nutrition Month, take part by "Eating Right and Enjoying the Variety of Food Choices."
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