Each March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics celebrates National Nutrition Month. This annual event reinforces the importance of developing sound eating and physical activity habits.
The theme for 2015 is “Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle,” which encourages everyone to adopt eating and physical activity plans that are focused on consuming fewer calories, making informed food choices and getting daily exercise in order to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease and promote overall health.
A healthful lifestyle, with regular physical activity and an eating pattern chosen to meet individual nutrient needs within calorie limits, is vital to maintaining good health and quality of life.
A healthy eating plan emphasizes nutrient-rich foods and beverages, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products, seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, beans and peas, and nuts and seeds and limits foods with added fats, sugars and salt.
Nutrient needs should be met primarily through consuming foods. Foods provide an array of nutrients and other components that are thought to have beneficial effects on health.
An eating pattern based on the dietary guidelines and MyPlate recommendations can accommodate the food preferences, cultural traditions and customs of many diverse groups.
MyPlate can help you use the dietary guidelines to:
• find your balance between food and physical activity to manage your weight;
• reduce food and food components linked to increased health risks;
• increase food and nutrients that promote health while staying within your calorie needs; and,
• build a healthful eating pattern.
Here’s a delightful dish to enjoy real soon!
Southern Fried Cabbage with Sausage
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 small green cabbage
1 cup water
1 onion, chopped
3/4 pound smoked turkey sausage, sliced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Chop cabbage and sauté with olive oil in large skillet. Add water, sausage and onion along with dry ingredients. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes. Uncover and finish cooking until cabbage is desired tenderness and most of liquid has been reduced. Enjoy!