Teaching healthy habits starts early
March was National Nutrition Month and River Park did its part to provide nutrition information to children in the community with its “healthy reading” program. River Park’s clinical dietitian, Brandy Cox, visited local schools and read to students about the importance of nutrition.
National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). The campaign is designed to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.
There are several basic nutritional concepts the ADA wants to reinforce with its educational program, including the idea that nutrition, along with physical activity, is a key component of good health.
First, the ADA emphasizes healthy eating helps you get the most out of life. A healthy lifestyle is the key to looking good, feeling great and being your best at work and play. It all starts with a healthy eating plan.
Even so, the ADA recognizes that individual needs and preferences determines personal food choices. Match your food choices to your lifestyle and individual requirements, choosing enough to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
It is also suggested that one actively pursue variety. Expand your range of choices and explore new tastes, within and among food groups. Eating a wide variety of foods not only promotes optimal nutrition, it provides some of the pleasurable aspects of eating.
Make moderation your goal – you decide how much and how often. Healthy eating doesn’t mean feeling deprived or guilty. Look at the big picture, what you eat over several days – not just one day or one meal – that’s important.
And finally, develop a personal fitness plan that fits your lifestyle. The key is to find a variety of activities you enjoy. You don’t need expensive equipment or complicated fitness programs.
The ADA stressed the importance of teaching these basic concepts early on in the educational process, hence the emphasis on reaching children with the information presented in a fun and effective manner, something River Park has made an effort to do with its healthy reading program and hopes will continue even beyond National Nutrition Month.
For further information and ideas and methods for teaching better nutrition, River Park suggests visiting www.eatright.com on the Internet.