Spring Into Better Nutrition

May 2024

Spring is a time of renewal, so take this opportunity to start a healthy lifestyle with informed food choices. With a few easy steps, you can decrease your risk for conditions such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis.

A healthy diet is much more than just eating more fruits and vegetables. Some people need more protein, while others have to monitor wheat and milk. Knowing which nutrients your body needs, the foods that contain them and how much you should eat are all part of making smart choices.

For instance, most people know that oranges are a good source of Vitamin C, but so are tomatoes and potatoes. Dairy foods like milk are a good source of calcium, but so is broccoli. Whole grains and beans provide fiber, but so do fruits and vegetables. Here are some other nutrition tips:

• Increase the amount of lean protein in your diet.
• Reduce your intake of extra fat, such as butter or margarine on bread, sour cream on baked potatoes and high-calorie salad dressings.
• When eating away from home, watch out for “hidden” fats and sugars in salad dressings, sauces and large portion sizes.
• Stay hydrated with no-calorie or low-calorie beverages, such as water, unsweetened tea or diet soda.
• Save money on fresh produce by eating what is in season and freezing or canning extra portions for future use.
• Read the nutrition labels on foods before you buy them. Often when an ingredient like salt or fat is reduced, more of another ingredient is added to keep the taste consistent. In some cases, the full-fat version may be better for you because it contains less salt or sugar.