Harford County Health Supports National Nutrition Month And The Importance Of “Eating Right With Color”

From the Harford County Health Department:

The Harford County Health Department Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program reminds everyone that an easy way to focus on eating better is to “Eat Right with Color,” which serves as the theme of March 2011 National Nutrition Month. It encourages consumers to remember to include a colorful variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy on their plates every day.

WIC, in partnership with the American Dietetic Association, is committed to improving public health by providing science-based nutrition information to consumers in a way that’s easy to understand and that applies to their everyday lives. “National Nutrition Month offers a great opportunity to focus the public’s attention on a universal theme that cuts through the clutter of information and gets back to the principles of a healthful diet,” states Kristen Perry, Director of the Harford County WIC Program. “The recently released 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend eating more plant-based foods that, when combined with lean meats, fish and poultry, and low-fat milk and dairy products, creates a rainbow of colors on the plate that serve as the basis for healthful eating.”

Harford County Health Officer Susan Kelly explains, “These new dietary guidelines provide a great foundation for developing new eating patterns at a time when the majority of adults and one in three children is overweight or obese, these guidelines will help people see the importance of nutrition by first Understanding Micronutrients. I encourage everyone to take time during National Nutrition Month to look at their eating behaviors and to begin making small improvements that, over time, will add up to significant health benefits.”

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans directs Americans to consume more healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, and seafood. It also urges less consumption of sodium, saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and refined grains. The Guidelines place stronger emphasis on reducing calorie consumption and increasing physical activity, while providing individuals the information they need to make thoughtful choices about healthier foods in the right portions.

National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign observed annually in March by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) that focuses attention on returning to the basics of healthy eating. Initiated in 1973 as a week-long event, “National Nutrition Week” became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition.

Additional information about Harford County’s WIC Program can be obtained by visiting www.harfordcountyhealth.com. For more information about the 2010 Dietary Guidelines, visit www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/