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“Taste is a major
influential factor driving what you eat and feed your
family, so it’s important to strike a balance between foods
you like and those that provide the nutrients you need,”
says Glenna McCollum, registered dietitian nutritionist and
president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “Taste
and nutrition are not mutually exclusive.”
March is National
Nutrition Month, an excellent annual reminder to take the
time to evaluate your diet and make positive changes you can
sustain long-term.
As part of the “Enjoy the
Taste of Eating Right” theme, McClollum is encouraging
Americans to return to the basics of healthful eating by
combining taste and nutrition to create meals that follow
the recommendations of the “2010 Dietary Guidelines for
Americans.”
With that in mind,
McClollum is providing some expert tips on how to eat right
and enjoy it:
• Love sandwiches? Swap
out white bread for whole grain to up your fiber intake.
Instead of mayo, use avocado as a rich addition to your
sandwich. It’s more flavorful, and it’s also full of fiber,
potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, as well as other
nutrients. To stay fuller longer, include fiber-rich veggies
like tomatoes and cucumbers.
• Balance. While there’s
always room to indulge, be sure that the majority of your
calories are sourced from vegetables, fruits, whole grains,
lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, fat-free or low-fat dairy,
beans, nuts and seeds. You’ll be filling up on all the
nutrients your body needs without all the extra calories.
And don’t forget to limit added sugars, salt and saturated
fats.
• Don’t skip dessert. Many
diet fads will encourage you to skip dessert, but doing so
can seem like a sacrifice, which won’t make for a
sustainable change. Instead, seek out treats that provide
nutritional benefits. For example, mango blended with
low-fat milk and a splash of pineapple juice will satisfy
your sweet tooth, while giving you a dose of calcium and
vitamin C.
• Spice it up. A great,
low-calorie way to add flavor and nutrition to meals without
the fat, sugar or salt, is by incorporating beneficial herbs
and spices, such as cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon cumin,
thyme, basil and oregano. Citrus juices are another great
addition to recipes.
• Ask for advice. Whether
you need to lose weight, want to reduce your risk for
disease or just want to improve your family’s overall
health, consider consulting a registered dietitian
nutritionist (RDN), who can translate the science of
nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living. Your
RDN can help you plan healthy, delicious meals.
For more tips on
healthful, tasty eating and to find a RDN, visit
www.EatRight.org/nnm.
This National Nutrition
Month, don’t just eat for your health, eat for your
happiness. Take steps to find foods that are not only
nutritious, but taste great too.
Courtesy StatePoint
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