Hi there, Mamas! Let me start out your month on a high note. What if I told you that I knew of something that could help with:
- Extra energy (what Mama doesn’t need that?)
- Weight loss
- Improving the appearance of skin and hair
- Prevent chronic diseases (or help manage those that may have crept up on you already)
- Feeling great overall
Plus, it’s inexpensive AND super safe (even encouraged!) for kids. You won’t find these benefits in any pill (trust me, if there was a magical cure in a pill, drink, or other substance, I wouldn’t have a job and we would all know about it), but rather good nutrition!
March is National Nutrition Month ® (NNM), that time of year when RDNs are encouraged to discuss WHY we chose the field we did and WHAT exactly are the benefits of good nutrition (like we need another reason). This year’s theme is “Bite Into a Healthy Lifestyle.”
NNM is backed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Their emphasis for this year is to achieve a healthy lifestyle through “fewer calories, informed food choices, and getting daily exercise.”
Why These Focus Points?
- Fewer calories – Calories = Energy. By taking in less calories, it can help us lose weight (or maintain a healthy weight) by creating a negative energy balance. By putting out more calories than you take in through food, you use your body’s own energy reserves, which is body fat. In addition to preventing or reversing obesity (which, in turn, can lead to less incidences of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses), taking in fewer calories has also been shown to promote longevity. Of course, if you’re pregnant or underweight, the “fewer” wouldn’t apply to you, but even if it would be beneficial for you to put on a few pounds, there is still a smart way to do it (see the next point or find an RDN to help).
- Informed food choices – Being an informed consumer is a must when providing nutritious food for your family. Food marketers are savvy, and they know how to spin a product so it looks healthier than it actually is. If you’re unsure, a good place to start is the MyPlate model. You can’t go wrong with adding in more fruits and veggies. Where do the foods you’re eating fit in to a healthful eating plan?
Where do your foods fit into a healthy diet? - Daily exercise – Exercise is so important for good health! We are so blessed to be able to move each day! We may not all be running marathons or competing in the Olympics, but even 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week can make a huge difference in how we feel (and look). So, play catch with your kids in the yard, go on family bike rides, take a hike. We want to be able to keep up with our kids, to live healthfully as we age, to be strong. Muscles are like breastfeeding – use it or lose it. The less we use our muscles, they weaker they get, even to the point where we are unable to care for ourselves anymore. (Remember that your heart is a muscle, too.) I see it all the time in practice – people get older and it’s harder to do things (or they just have other “helpers” who are happy to do things for them), and their muscles almost seem to dissolve before their eyes. They can’t even walk to the bathroom without help. I’m not just talking about the elderly – even people in their 50’s or 60’s can have this problem. I’ll stop my preaching now, but please remember how incredible the gift of movement is.
Very motivating!