Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Consultant Galveston County Health District By: Jasmine McMullin, RDN, LDWomen

Eating healthier can help reduce many chronic diseases from heart disease to type 2 diabetes, some cancers and obesity. Many of us don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables daily. In fact, it’s estimated only 25 percent of people in the United States consume an adequate amount, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
March marks National Nutrition Month, a great time to refocus on making better educated food choices and sharing that knowledge with our family and friends.
Join us as we celebrate National Nutrition Month:
What: Keep an Eye on Nutrition
When: March 4
             9-11 a.m.
What: Come and learn more about nutrition with WIC including fun booths and activities. The event features 
            Galveston’s Own Farmers Market, HEAL’s KC the Carrot, Galveston County Master Gardeners and more.
Where: 9850-A Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Community Room A-108, Texas City
This year’s theme focuses on developing good eating and physical activity habits through the Eat Right, Bite by Bite theme. Check out these tips from Eat Right, by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Eat a variety of nutritious foods every day:

• Include healthful foods from all food groups
• Hydrate healthfully
• Learn how to read nutrition facts panels
• Practice portion control
• Take time to enjoy your food

Plan your meals each week:

• Use a grocery list to shop for healthful foods
• Be menu-savvy when dining out
• Choose healthful recipes to make during the week
• Enjoy healthful eating at school and at work
• Plan healthful eating while traveling

Learn skills to create tasty meals:

• Keep healthful ingredients on hand
• Practice proper home food safety
• Share meals together as a family when possible
• Reduce food waste
• Try new flavors and foods

When choosing whole grains, lean protein and colorful fruits and vegetables, it’s important to savor the flavor – and be creative in the kitchen.
Fruits and vegetables provide vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in all forms, whether it’s fresh, frozen, canned or dried. They’re also low in calories. Looking for something sweet to eat? Pick up some fruit. It’s naturally sweet and can help fight cravings so that you don’t find yourself reaching for a candy bar or piece of cake. 
When it comes to dairy, choose low-fat or fat-free options for milk, yogurt and cheese. Go for whole grains when building your plate. Whole grain bread, brown rice and quinoa are great options. For breakfast, whip up a bowl of oatmeal. Whole grains not only provide vitamins and minerals, but dietary fiber. At least half of the grains you eat should be whole grains.
Finish off your plate with lean protein like round steaks and roasts, skinless poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts and seeds. 
For free resources on how you can live a healthier life, check out HEAL at gchd.org/HEAL. You’ll find free recipes, cooking tips, links to resources including free fitness trackers and exercise videos and more.
Public Health Services · Coastal Health & Wellness · Emergency Medical Services · Animal Resource Center
The Galveston County Health District (GCHD) is the local public health agency for Galveston County, Texas.
GCHD provides services and programs that protect the everyday health and well-being of Galveston County.
P.O. Box 939 La Marque, Texas 77568 • (409) 938-7221
www.gchd.org

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