National Nutrition Month!

March is National Nutrition Month.  It was created to increase awareness and show the importance of nutrition and how it can help you reach your goals. Its main priority is to educate everyone on the…

March is National Nutrition Month. 

It was created to increase awareness and show the importance of nutrition and how it can help you reach your goals. Its main priority is to educate everyone on the importance of making smart and healthy eating habits. Physical activity is key but what you put in your body makes the biggest impact. 

Here are some ideas to incorporate into your daily routine to continue to make healthy, nutritional choices: 

Fruits and Vegetables! Both fruits and vegetables are key components of a healthy, balanced meal. They provide fiber, minerals, and vitamins to your plate. The goal should be to have half of your plate filled with fruits and vegetables!

Portion Size! Get out those measuring cups and use the nutritional information to see how close your portions are to the recommended serving size. Paying attention to portion sizes will help you to eat what your body needs while also being able to save room to incorporate other healthy food into each meal! Reading the nutrition label can help you when you both shop, and eat smarter while keeping your nutrition at the forefront of your mind. 

Where do you eat? Where you eat can be just as important to what is on your plate. Meals eaten at a table rather than a couch tends to decrease overall meal time and mindlessly snacking. Make your meal the main attraction not whatever is on your phone, computer, or television. 
Enjoy your Meal! Many things in our lives are going at a fast pace. We feel as if we are constantly going from one thing to the next. We don’t need to live our lives in a sense of hurry, especially our meals. Think about all the characteristics of your food, this will give you a chance to enjoy your meal and feel satisfied. 
Water! Keep water with you at all times, it sounds very simple but it goes a long way for your overall health. The amount of water you should drink in a day should be around 8oz of water, eight times a day. Water is the healthiest beverage option, so bring it on your team of healthy choices! 
KeepMoving! Well rounded nutritional choices are the foundation to a healthy life, and staying active also has many healthy benefits that you should prioritize on your healthy living journey. If it’s 10 minutes or 2 hours, your body will thank you for it.
For more ways to stay inspired and KeepMoving, visit the link below!

https://www.keepmovingokc.org/category/ymca/

Written by Corey Cargill, ccargill@ymcaokc.org