March Is National Nutrition Month

Local nutritionists are joining their colleagues nationwide in helping people take a bite out of unhealthy eating.
Since March is National Nutrition Month, this is a good time to shift to a healthier diet, said Tamara Herman, a registered dietitian at Stephens County Hospital.

“Focus on fruit. Vary your vegetable so you eat more dark green veggies. Make sure you get three cups of milk or dairy. Make half of your grains whole and go with lean proteins. Also limit you fats and your salts and sugars,” she advised.

Research has shown proper nutrition is the best way to combat America’s obesity problem as well as other health issues, Herman said.
“You always hear you are what you eat. We know based on research that these are the things that give us the antioxidant that prevent cancers,” she said. “Also American has a huge obesity problem and this is one way to tackle that.”

Herman said the way to healthier eating is to make small, but significant changes in the choices one makes about food. In addition, she points to a web site set up by the United States Department of Agriculture that allows the user to personalize their nutritional needs, track their diet and learn better ways to eat healthy: www.mypryamid.gov.