National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month, an educational campaign sponsored by the American Dietetic Association. The blogs this month will focus on nutrition topics.

The 2011 campaign slogan is "Eat Right with Color." For each meal you eat, try to include a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. The different colors provide us with different nutrients. For example, dark green veggies have vitamin A, vitamin K, potassium, calcium, and fiber.

Here are some ways to add color to your plate:

• Make a side salad with a variety of vegetables and even fruit pieces. Try spinach or romaine lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms, carrots, and mandarin orange pieces. Top with olive oil and vinegar for the dressing.
• Add strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or banana to your cereal, oatmeal, or yogurt. Use frozen berries if fresh is not available.
• Instead of grilled chicken with mashed potatoes and corn, top your grilled chicken with fresh salsa, try mashed sweet potatoes, and asparagus.
• Add tomato and spinach to your plain turkey sandwich. Try sliced carrots, celery or green or red pepper strips as a side dish instead of potato chips.
• Have baked or grilled fish with broccoli, cauliflower, and peaches or sliced apples for dessert.
• Instead of a brownie or cookie for dessert, try some sliced fruit such as cantaloupe, watermelon, or mango.
• Buy fruits and vegetables in season for the best offerings and best prices. Frozen or canned fruit can be an option as well.
• Try to move toward filling half your plate full of veggies, and then 1/4 with lean protein, and 1/4 with a whole grain. Add a piece of fruit and milk or yogurt for a nutritious and filling meal.