It’s National Nutrition Month® !

Welcome to March everyone!

There’s a traditional expression that says, “March comes in like a Lion and out like a Lamb." The reverse seems to be happening here in Virginia. If you remember on Thursday March 1^st, it was 80 degrees and now we have snow?!? Ah, that’s the classic pattern of Virginia weather for ya… classic pattern as in, there is no pattern! (Although, I am very grateful that we did not experience the tornado trauma that occurred in the Midwest - my heart goes out to anyone with family or friends who have lost their homes!)  




In less than a week, we went from this...



...to THIS! I prefer the sandals :(

 

Weather aside, the month of March is known as National Nutrition Month®! 

This year, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics named the theme: “Get Your Plate in Shape!” The key message revolves around the importance of balancing your plate. Too often, we load up our plates with refined carbohydrates and high-fat proteins, pushing the nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables to the side. Boost your nutrition and reduce calories by filling at least half of your plate with a variety of vegetables – especially dark, green, leafy ones like kale, chard, and spinach + red and orange vegetables like carrots, tomatoes, squash and peppers! Fill the 2^nd two-thirds of your plate with a lean protein like skinless chicken breast, seafood, beans or lentils + a wholesome, filling grain like brown rice, quinoa, bulgar, barley or wheat-berries. This will ensure adequate intake of inflammation-fighting phytonutrients from healthy food sources, along with increased fiber for satiety and portion-control.Treat yourself afterwards with a ripe and sweetly refreshing fruit for dessert, perhaps drizzled with your favorite yogurt.






Does your plate look more like plate A or plate B?

Plate B demonstates the principles of what it means to "Get your plate in shape!"

 Be sure to check out these other Nutrition Education Resources for information on boosting your daily intake of fruits and vegetables, healthy eating on the run, the 2012 NNM® Fact Sheet, plus 2011-2012 NNM® recipes and more!     

Also, don't forget to RSVP for tomorrow's GLC Grocery Tour at Whole Foods! This month, there will be emphasis on where to find a good value as well as making healthy selections. Weight check-ins are from 5-5:45PM at the Glen Allen office, the tour begins at 6PM sharp in the covered entryway of Whole Foods in Short Pump. See you there!

Happy and Healthy Eating,

Chloe RD and the GLC

p.s. Interested in other weather-related sayings of yore? The Farmers’ Almanac also mentioned these three rhymes and expressions pertaining to the month of March:

            A dry March and a wet May, fill barns and bays with corn and hay.

As it rains in March so it rains in June.

March winds and April showers bring forth bundles of May flowers.