Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Eat Right, Your Way, Everyday

It’s that time of year again, National Nutrition Month!  I have a sneaking suspicion that the only people who get excited about NNM are dietitians (and some may argue that many of them do not see the big deal either!) but I wanted to post for the occasion anyway.  The theme for 2013 (we have a theme every year-great isn’t it?!?!) is Eat Right, Your Way, Everyday.  Some years I really like the theme and other years I could take it or leave it.  This year’s theme really appeals to me.  After several years of working in the field of dietetics I have discovered that every person does things his or her way no matter what you tell them.  This is not a bad thing at all but it has taught me a great deal about working with individuals to improve their diet and health.  There are so many recommendations out there and many of them are not necessarily the best advice for everyone.  The following tips relate to just about everyone, aside from these recommendations I advise that you do what the month’s theme says.

1.)   Eat every day.  This sounds like a no-brainer but I mean it.  There are many diets out there that suggest fasting every other day or at least 2 days per week.  This is not a good idea.  It is fine to allow your body to go without food for approximately 12 hours but after that get the engine going and throw a little fuel on the fire…EAT.

2.)   Exercise every day.  Exercise means something different to everyone but what I am talking about here is to MOVE.  Studies have shown that even people who fidgit weight less than people who don’t. Take a walk at lunch, stand while on the phone, take a walk after dinner.  No matter what it is, move your body.

3.)   Eat a minimum of 1200 calories.  You may have heard this one and it is no fad.  If you do not meet the minimum requirements for calories the odds of you meeting all of you nutritional needs is greatly reduced.  Be sure to eat the minimum and to choose whole foods most of the time.

4.)   Eat colorfully.  This may sound odd but it is important that the food choices you make have a variety of color.  As I tell all of my patients, students and clients each color indicates a different concentration of vitamins, mineral and antioxidants.  It’s okay if you don’t like broccoli, eat okra instead but eat your colors every day!
   
5.)   Take care of you.  This is especially important for those folks who are busy everyday taking care of people at work or at home.  Whether it is your patients, co-workers, friends or family make sure that you set aside time to care for yourself.  You will be more help to others when you are at your best.

For more tips visit www.choosemyplate.gov to see how you can improve your health.