This year marks the 40th year of National Nutrition Month. Its focus is to promote healthy eating habits, and encourage physical activity. The theme for 2013 is “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day.” The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests that everyone, no matter their dietary and personal lifestyle, can make sound choices to be sure that their body is getting the proper nutrition while staying within federal caloric guidelines. Following are tips for different types of lifestyles to be sure that you are getting the vitamins needed for optimum health.
The Busy Executive – Those who are busy with their careers can often make poor choices when it comes to nutrition because of having to choose grab and go foods on busy days, as well as while traveling.
- In the office: Keep a few healthy choices in your desk drawer, such as whole wheat crackers with packaged tuna, or healthy heat and eat soups.
- On the go: Suggestions for when you are on the go outside of the office are fresh fruit, granola mix, or a small container of whole wheat cereal.
Athletes – Remember that you need fuel for your body if you work out daily to stay in shape, and especially if you are a professional athlete.
- Start the day right: Always fuel your body with breakfast, especially before you go to work out. Choose yogurt, boiled eggs, low fat milk, cereal, or whole wheat crackers and peanut butter for energy.
- Be mindful that your body will need replenishing after your workout; you will need to drink plenty of water after.
Students – Students are usually on a strict budget, and always on the go. There are many choices that will keep them under budget and will still give them the nutrition they need to keep up with a hectic class schedule.
- Vegetables and hummus, apples with peanut butter, almonds, and low fat cheese, are great for breakfast, or anytime, to get help your brain function well.
- If you eat in a cafeteria, head for the salad bar, but skip the high calorie dressings, cheese, and mayonnaise based salads. Do load up on fruits and a variety of vegetables; the more colors of vegetables on your plate, the better.
Family Meals – With everyone so busy these days, it sometimes feels overwhelming to make a healthy meal for the whole family. Try to keep meals healthy be making them easy to prepare and thinking ahead.
- When baking or broiling meats, like chicken for example, make enough that you can have another meal.
- Include the family in preparing the meal which will make the little ones more open to trying new foods.
Vegan and Vegetarian – There are plenty of nutritious choices for those who do not eat meat. There are even some favorites that everyone, even meat eaters, have enjoyed for years.
- When vegetarians come for dinner, some timeless favorites are beans, veggie pizzas, eggplant Parmesan, and veggie stir fry.
- Remember to take old favorites and swap out the meat and replace with extra vegetables and beans, such as pasta dishes, and casseroles.
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