March is National Nutrition Month® and Building Nutrition will be posting daily on various nutrition topics. Be sure to subscribe to our RSS Feed or our email newsletters to stay up-to-date

So often, we turn to the latest “quick fix” to lose weight or get healthier. How many of us have tried a “fad diet” or a “diet pill” to help us lose weight? What about those herbal supplements that someone we know has said is the “miracle” to their health and success? Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet or quick fix to lifelong health.

This month’s theme, “Nutrition: it’s a matter of fact”, reminds us that we need to look at the facts. The MyPyramid system (formerly the Food Guide Pyramid) and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are based on evidence. These guidelines are from “evidence-based medicine”, which means that research has been done, and this is what the research shows.

The American Dietetic Association recognizes these top 10 Nutrition Facts. These facts will be discussed here at Building Nutrition throughout the month of March:

1. Eating right doesn’t have to be complicated. Use MyPyramid.gov to develop a personalized plan for lifelong health. (stay tuned to my post tomorrow on how to use this site)
2. The best nutrition advice is based on science. Before adopting any changes to your diet, be sure the information is based in scientific fact. (see above!)
3. Get your food and nutrition facts from the expert: a registered dietitian (RD). RDs are uniquely qualified to translate the science of nutrition into reliable advice you can use every day.
4. Balancing physical activity and a healthful diet is your best recipe for managing weight and promoting overall health and fitness.
5. Think nutrient-rich rather than “good” or “bad” foods. The majority of your food choices should be packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients—and lower in calories.
6. Look at the big picture: No single food or meal makes or breaks a healthful diet. Your total diet is the most important focus for healthful eating.
7. Prepare, handle, and store food properly to keep you and your family safe from food-borne illness. More to come on this topic! (you can also see my previous post on food safety for information on keeping food safe in hot weather)
8. Don’t fall prey to food myths and misinformation that may harm rather than benefit your health.
9. Read food labels to get nutrition facts that help you make smart food choices quickly and easily.
10. Find the healthy fats when making food choices. By choosing polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats, you can keep your saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol low.

So stay tuned this month to these topics, and feel free to subscribe to our RSS Feed or our email newsletters to stay up-to-date. Also, feel free to email me if you have any suggestions or comments. Thanks and Happy Nutrition Month!