March is Nutrition Month

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics “encourages all Americans to take time during National Nutrition Month to look at their eating patterns…”  Nutrition can greatly affect our health. Even small improvements in nutrition can lead to significant health benefits.

Consider taking sometime this month to learn more about the foods you put in your body. 

• Empty calories can be okay in small amounts.
• Grains include wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, and barley.
• Dairy foods include all fluid milk products and many foods made from milk.
• Vegetables can be consumed, raw, cooked, fresh, frozen, canned, dried, whole, cut-up, or mashed.
• Fruit can be enjoyed fresh, canned, frozen, dried, whole, cut-up, or pureed.
• Protein foods include meats, poultry, eggs, beans and peas, processed soy products, seafood, and nuts and seeds

USDA’s ChooseMyPlate.gov website is well designed, easy to navigate, and full of information and tips to help you improve your nutrition.

ChooseMyPlate.gov is also available in Spanish.

It is recommended that at least half of grains consumed be whole grains.