Mahaska Health Partnership Recognizes National Nutrition Month

Mahaska Health Partnership

MAHASKA COUNTY – March is National Nutrition Month and Mahaska Health Partnership is challenging you to create an environment where healthy food is always within your family’s reach.

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, this year’s theme for National Nutrition Month is “Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right,” which teaches people how to combine taste and nutrition to create healthy meals for their families.

“Studies show that people choose taste over nutritional value when it comes to the food they purchase,” shared MHP Registered Dietitian Lea Rice. “The key is to find healthier alternatives without having to give up your favorite foods. You can modify your recipes, portion size and your physical activity to ensure you create a healthy eating plan that fits your individual needs and isn’t too difficult to stick to.”

National Nutrition Month first began in 1973 as a week-long event but became a month-long observance in 1980. With growing public interest in a healthy lifestyle and nutrition, National Nutrition Month aims to refocus healthy eating goals and clear up any misconceptions about what it means to eat healthy.

With the Blue Zones Project® underway and the Healthiest State Initiative in full swing, National Nutrition Month is a reminder of the ways we can become a healthier community, county, state and nation.

Thanks to Oskaloosa being selected as a Blue Zones Project® demonstration site, there are many opportunities for our community to get on the healthy track and increase our overall well-being. In addition to making healthy food choices, it is important to monitor portion sizes. Consider replacing your larger tableware with 10″ plates and tall, skinny glasses, and remove any TV’s from the kitchen to be more mindful of what you’re consuming. Learn more about Blue Zones® tools and take the pledge at www.bluezonesproject.com.

“There’s no better time than right now to modify your eating and exercise habits,” encouraged Rice. “The trick is to create a plan that is individualized to your specific needs, and before you know it you’ll be on your way to a becoming a healthier you.”

As a Registered Dietitian, Rice provides one-on-one consultations to teach healthy eating habits. She works with patients of all ages and tailors her recommendations to their personal needs. “The same plan doesn’t work for each patient,” Rice explained. “Someone with diabetes requires different nutrition than a person trying to lose weight. I enjoy getting to know my patients and developing a personalized plan for each one.”

To schedule a consultation with Rice, call 641.672.3303.

Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, visit www.mahaskahealth.org.