It’s National Nutrition Month (NNM) and while it may not be everybody’s favorite thing to celebrate, the Calorie Control Council is excited because this year’s theme is “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day.” This year’s theme emphasizes the advantages of developing a healthful eating plan that incorporates individual food choices and preferences. This year marks the 40th anniversary of NNM.
Each week this month the NNM is focusing on healthy eating messages that emphasize a balance of food and beverages within energy needs, rather than any one food or meal. Most favorite foods can fit within this pattern, if consumed in moderation with appropriate portion size and combined with physical activity. As part of healthy moderation, the Academy supports using low-calorie sweeteners to keep daily calories in check.
“It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that consumers can safely enjoy a range of nutritive sweeteners and non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) when consumed within an eating plan that is guided by current federal nutrition recommendations, such as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Dietary Reference Intakes, as well as individual health goals and personal preference.”
“There can be a misperception that eating healthfully means giving up your favorite foods,” said registered dietitian and Academy President Ethan A. Bergman. “Our ‘Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day’ National Nutrition Month theme encourages consumers to include the foods they love as part of a healthful eating plan that is tailored for their lifestyles, traditions, health needs and, of course, tastes.”
As part of this public education campaign, the Academy’s National Nutrition Month website includes a variety of helpful tips, games, promotional tools and nutrition education resources, all designed to spread the message of good nutrition based on the “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day” theme.
“Making healthy choices at the grocery store and at restaurants, choosing diet soda, or going to a fitness class with a friend are small steps people can take to help improve their overall health,” according to Theresa Hedrick, a registered dietitian with the Calorie Control Council.
In a recent release, the Calorie Control Council predicted that 2013 will be a year of positive change when it comes to calorie control – both calories consumed, and calories burned. “Keep a daily exercise and food diary to really see how many calories you’re putting in and burning back off,” advises Hedrick. “And, find a friend or family member to exercise with and compare healthy eating notes. A little friendly competition can help you stay focused on your goals.”
To learn more about National Nutrition Month visit eatright.org.
National Nutrition Month® is a federally registered service mark of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Do you have questions about low-calorie sweeteners? Want to learn more about maintaining a healthy lifestyle? You asked and we listened. Our resident Registered Dietitians answered the most popular questions about low-calorie sweeteners.
