It's National Nutrition Month® 2004: Eat Smart to Stay Healthy, for a Lifetime

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 15, 2004

Media Contacts:  Lori Ferme, Kelly Liebbe, Tom Ryan
800/877-1600 ext. 4802, 4769, 4894
media@eatright.org
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CHICAGO - What does “eating smart to stay healthy” mean? During National Nutrition Month® 2004 and beyond, Eating Smart to Stay Healthy means being smart about the foods you eat - knowing what you are eating and making wise food choices. 

 “Healthy eating gives you more energy and the physical well-being to help you stay healthy for today and the rest of your life,” said Minneapolis-based registered dietitian Susan Moores, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

 Some tips Moores suggests for National Nutrition Month® 2004 include:

  • Whatever the food, eat a sensible serving size. Knowing the
    appropriate serving sizes for you is part of eating smart.
  • Add color to your plate by eating more fruits and vegetables. This may be the best lifestyle change you’ll ever make. Think red, green and orange - fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytochemicals that may help prevent some cancers and lowers blood pressure. Try adding fresh fruit to pancakes or yogurt.
  • Explore the wide world of foods - expand your tastes and get the nutrients
    your body needs
  • Try a new food or recipe at least once a month or new ethnic cuisine at a local restaurant.

“With a little creativity, you can find ways to be active each day, and you’ll reap the benefits of an active lifestyle for years to come,” Moores said. “If you walk as little as a mile a day you will feel more energetic. You can build more muscle and be stronger at any age with regular weight training.

“Incorporate regular physical activity into your routine. Get off the bus or train and walk the rest of the way, take the stairs instead of the escalator and walk or ride your bike around the neighborhood,” Moores said.

With nearly 70,000 members, the Chicago-based American Dietetic Association is the nation’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition and well-being.

National Nutrition Month®, created in 1973 and celebrated in March, promotes healthful eating by providing practical nutrition guidance.