FOR RELEASE: March 1, 2005
CONTACT: Pamela Williams
Office of Communications
405/271-5601

Get a Taste for Nutrition
March is National Nutrition Month®

Get a Taste for Nutrition is the theme for National Nutrition Month®, March 2005. The American Dietetic Association and the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) encourage all Americans to take the first step toward making healthful food and physical activity choices. Trying new foods and new physical activities can jump-start your plans for health. Many people get caught in the trap of thinking of food as good or bad, when it really is a matter of balance.

• Treat your taste buds. You decide how much and how often. Choose foods sensibly by looking at the big picture; it’s what you eat over several days, not just one meal or day that counts. So enjoy all your favorite foods, just try eating them in moderate amounts.
• Balance food choices with your lifestyle. Choosing the right balance of foods helps you get the right combination of nutrients. So balance your food choices with your physical activities to achieve and maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Managing your weight plays a vital role in achieving and maintaining good health and quality of life. Carrying excess weight may put you at greater risk for health problems. The good news is that healthy eating and regular physical activity make it easier to achieve lifelong weight management and long-term health!
• Be active. Be creative and enjoy a variety of ways to stay active to feel your best. There’s no need for expensive equipment or complicated fitness programs. Start by making a list of physical activities that fit into your lifestyle and schedule one every day.
• Be adventurous and expand your horizons. Variety is the “spice of life” in your food choices and is key to good nutrition and health. Choose foods based on flavor, texture and colors that are tasty and healthy. Explore the wide world of nutrition by trying a variety of foods.

The OSDH Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is celebrating National Nutrition Month® by sponsoring an information booth outside their administrative office in Shepherd Mall the mornings of March 7-8, 2005. Participants can take the National Nutrition Month® 2005 Quiz and participate in a tasting activity. Nutrition information along with information about the WIC Program will be available.

In addition, the Maternal and Child Health Service invites you to take the National Nutrition Month® Quiz, determine your body mass index (BMI), and have your nutrition questions answered by a registered dietitian. Come join us on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 at 10 a.m. in the first floor lobby of the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

For more information on using moderation and variety in your food choices, contact a registered dietitian at your local county health department.

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