March is National Nutrition Month

Each March, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) sponsors National Nutrition Month. It's a perfect time to review your eating habits and focus on good nutrition. If you have kids, plan some activities that will get them interested in healthy eating. For example, color different index cards with the colors of the rainbow -- red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Bring your kids to the grocery store and challenge them to find a fruit or vegetable of each color. Even if you don't have kids, take some time this month to learn more about nutrition and improve your eating habits.

Remember, healthy eating doesn't have to be boring or complicated. The American Dietetic Association offers these 10 tips:

• Visit Mypyramid.gov to develop a personalized nutrition plan.
• Before making any changes to your diet, make sure the information is based in scientific fact.
• Get food and nutrition facts from registered dieticians, your doctor, or reliable sites such as the ADA's.
  
• Keep an active lifestyle -- proper eating habits and physical activity are the best way to maintain weight.
• There are no "bad" foods per se. Just focus on nutrient-dense choices.
• Drop the all or nothing mindset. One slip isn't going to ruin your whole healthy eating plan.
• Prepare and store food properly to avoid food-borne illnesses.
• Don't pay attention to food myths and misinformation.
• Read food labels to get nutrition facts.
• Choose healthy facts (polyunsaturated or monounsaturated).