WELD County – Eating healthier doesn’t mean changing your entire eating pattern overnight. Small changes, made over time, can add up. For National Nutrition Month 2017, the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE) urges everyone to start small – one forkful at a time, and “Put Your Best Fork Forward.”
“How much we eat is as important as what we eat, which is why this year’s National Nutrition Month theme inspires us to start with small changes in our eating habits,” says WCDPHE registered dietitian Mike Schwan.
Healthful eating emphasizes balancing food and beverages within an individual’s energy needs, rather than focusing on any one specific food or meal. Improving overall wellbeing requires a lifelong commitment to healthful lifestyle behaviors, emphasizing lasting and enjoyable eating practices and daily physical activity.
“It’s important to balance individualized eating plans that include a variety of your favorite, nutritious foods with physical activity most days of the week,” Schwan says. Balanced nutrition and regular exercise are essential for good health and longevity. These simple nutrition tips can help improve your health:
- Eat whole, fresh, locally grown foods as much as possible
- Limit foods that have more than 10 ingredients on the label or contain man-made ingredients
- Don’t substitute fruit juice for whole fruits and avoid soda. Water is always your best choice
- Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables including one dark green and one orange choice daily
- Eat a variety of fiber rich foods everyday including whole grains and legumes
- Buy low fat versions of dairy and other protein foods
- Replace salt with lemon, herbs or spices to flavor foods
- Home cooked meals always win over eating out
As part of National Nutrition Month, the Weld County Department of Public Health’s website, www.weldhealth.org includes articles, recipes, and educational resources to spread the message of good nutrition and an overall healthy lifestyle for people of all ages, genders and backgrounds.
