National Nutrition Month: Go Further With Food
Article provided by Elizabeth Vennefron, RD, LD
It?s that time of year again! Dietitians know what I?m talking about, but do you? March is not only known for March Madness, but for Nutrition! This National Nutrition Month we?re focusing on going ?further with food?. By the end of this article, you?ll know not only why nutrition is a key component to a healthier and happier life, but how to get there.
What we eat and what we don?t eat has a huge impact on our overall health. As Dietitians, we encourage individuals to incorporate a variety of foods from the different food groups into all meals and snacks. One of my roles as a Retail Clinical Dietitian, in Kroger, is to show customers good products and provide them with the tools to make a healthy lifestyle possible. Meal planning is something we frequently cover with patients, because it not only saves them time and money, but reduces food loss and waste. According to the US Department of Agriculture, up to one-fifth of America's food goes to waste each year, with an estimated 130 pounds of food per person ending up in landfills. With this in mind, I focus on products that are nutrient packed and good for the earth.
So how can you go further? You can start off by choosing products that are plant based. Focusing on fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help protect against heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension. Fiber from grains and legumes can help stabilize blood sugar levels. By no means am I saying go vegetarian, but limiting the amount of animal protein will reduce your saturated fat intake and lower your blood cholesterol.
One brand to consider adding into your diet is Silk, as they strive to use ingredients that are sourced responsibly to bring consumers food that?s dairy-free and delicious. Silk has quite the selection of milk, creamers and yogurts that have the silky smooth taste individual?s love. Another brand I highlight when discussing dairy-free alternatives is So Delicious. One of the tidbits of information I always like to point out about So Delicious, is that they use recycled paper cartons, so they are caring for the earth as much as your nutritional needs. Both of these brands utilize plant based protein foods, such as nuts, seeds and soy to help you meet your protein and nutrient needs, quick and conveniently.
As I mentioned earlier, meal planning is a topic I discuss routinely with patients. Developing a meal plan is not a fix all, but it?s a great place to start. I encourage readers to think about and maybe even read the nutrition label of the foods you regularly eat and determine if it deserves a spot in your daily line up. If you find yourself eating a significant amount of animal protein, consider cooking up a plant based meal or snack made up of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
