For Release: March 1, 2011 – Pamela Williams, Office of Communications – (405) 271-5601

Eat Right with Color 
March is National Nutrition Month®

March is National Nutrition Month® and a great time to focus on including a variety of foods and colors in every meal, every day.  It is an opportunity to learn to make healthy choices and take steps toward a healthier you and a healthier Oklahoma. Focusing on good nutrition helps build a strong foundation for healthy living and disease prevention.

As part of March’s National Nutrition Month®, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH)  and the 2010 Dietary Guidelines offer tips to help consumers live healthier in their daily lives, to choose steps that work, and to Eat Right with Color, which is this year’s theme. Some of those tips include:

Balancing Calories

• Enjoy your food, but eat less.
• Choose smaller portions.

Foods to Increase

• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
• Switch to fat-free or low-fat (one percent) milk.

Foods to Reduce

• Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals – and choose the foods with lower numbers.
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

For more information on healthy eating, making wise nutrition choices, and improving physical activity habits, contact a registered dietitian at your local county health department, or visit these web sites:

www.ok.gov/strongandhealthy

www.eatright.org/NNM/content.aspx?id=7832

www.cnpp.usda.gov/DietaryGuidelines.htm

www.MyPyramid.gov

www.ShapeYourFutureOK.com

http://bis.health.ok.gov

http://iio.health.ok.gov  

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