Mahaska Health Partnership Urges Families to make Healthier Food Choices

Mahaska Health Partnership

OSKALOOSA – In recognition of March as National Nutrition Month, Mahaska Health Partnership Clinical Dietitian Lea Rice urges families to make healthier food choices.

“New dietary guidelines were introduced in 2010 that focus on balancing calories with physical activity,” Rice said. “One of the goals is to help people eat healthier foods in the right portions.”

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), more than one-third of children and more than two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese. “It is recommended that people get 30 to 60 minutes of exercise three times per week,” Rice said.

“Unfortunately, many people do not make diet and exercise a priority. It’s important to remember that some exercise is better than none and it doesn’t have to happen all at once. Three 10 minute sessions of physical activity in a day can make a big difference.”

The new 2010 dietary guidelines include recommendations for the general public to help trim waistlines and reduce the risk of developing diet-related chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Some of the recommendations include:

· Enjoy your food but eat less

· Avoid oversized portions

· Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk

· Compare sodium in foods and choose foods with lower numbers

· Drink water instead of sugary drinks

Rice explained that improving one’s diet can be as simple as eating more color. “When you are preparing a meal, try to eat a variety of colors because the more variety you eat the more nutrients you will get.

“Another easy trick to remember is to fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables, one-quarter with meat and one-quarter with whole grains.”

The USDA stressed that the new 2010 guidelines are be beneficial for all people, age 2 years and older. “By adopting these recommendations, Americans can live healthier lives for longer,” Rice said.

For a complete copy of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines, visit mahaskahealth.org and click on this article from the home page.