National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month, and Temecula Valley Hospital is encouraging everyone to adopt eating and physical activity plans that are focused on consuming fewer calories, making informed food choices and getting daily exercise in order to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

A healthy lifestyle is more than just weight loss, it can enhance your overall health and reduce your risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and even some types of cancer.

Choose nutrient-rich foods and beverages, and follow these tips for healthful food choices:

• At every meal, fill half your plate with a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables.
• Make at least half the grains you eat whole grains, such as whole-wheat bread and pasta, quinoa, oats and brown rice. Check the food label, the first ingredient listed should be "whole grain" or "whole wheat."
• Choose healthy protein sources, such as lean meats and poultry, seafood, beans and peas, eggs and nuts and seeds.
• Eat low-fat dairy foods. If you're sensitive to lactose, try calcium-fortified soy beverages.
• Limit foods with added fats, sugars and salt.

In addition to eating the right foods your health needs, you should try to include physical activity as part of our daily routine. Adults should get at least 30 minutes and children at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. This does not have to be boring; find activities you enjoy to make this less of a burden and more of a fun hobby.

Learn more about nutrition and healthy lifestyle changes at www.eatright.org.