Month-long campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits
As trends continue to indicate Americans are interested in improving their diets and leading more healthful lifestyles, the American Dietetic Association reminds everyone that an easy way to focus on eating better is to “Eat Right with Color,” which is this year’s theme of National Nutrition Month®. Each March, ADA focuses attention on returning to the basics of healthy eating.
“The American Dietetic Association is committed to improving the nation’s health, and one of the ways we do this is by providing science-based nutrition information to consumers in a way that’s easy to understand and apply to their everyday lives,” said registered dietitian and ADA President Judith C. Rodriguez. “National Nutrition Month offers a great opportunity to focus people’s attention on a universal theme that cuts through the clutter of information and gets back to the principles of a healthful diet.”
Initiated in 1973 as a week-long event, “National Nutrition Week” became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition. Additionally, to commemorate the dedication of RDs as advocates for advancing the nutritional status of Americans and people around the world, the second Wednesday of March has been designated “Registered Dietitian Day.” This year marks the fourth annual Registered Dietitian Day.
The recently released 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend an increased focus on a plant-based diet. This combined with including lean meats, fish and poultry, and low-fat milk and dairy products creates a rainbow of colors on the plate that serve as the foundation for a healthful eating plan.
“The Dietary Guidelines provide a great base for directing the eating patterns of Americans. The expertise of registered dietitians can translate the Guidelines into easy, actionable and personal information that can be used to develop a healthful eating plan that is right for the individual,” Rodriguez said. “ADA encourages all Americans to take time during National Nutrition Month to look at their eating patterns and begin to make the small improvements that, over time, add up to significant health benefits.”
As part of this public education campaign, ADA’s National Nutrition Month website includes a variety of helpful tips, fun games, promotional tools and nutrition education resources, all designed to spread the message of good nutrition around the “Eat Right with Color” theme.
?