Did You Know March is National Nutrition Month?

Tomorrow is the start of National Nutrition Month! The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reaches out to the public each march to educate them on how good nutrition can impact your life. It is a month to prepare yourself for the spring and start to get serious about any weight loss program. Summer will be here before we know it! Get your body prepared for those outdoor walks and fit into those "skinny jean" capri pants or shorts you've been dying to squeeze into. This month, try these simple habit changes and watch your health increase and your inches decrease!

1. Get your plate in shape. A healthy portion size should be no bigger than the size of your fist. If you can't fit it into the palm of your hand, put some back and save it for tomorrow's lunch.

2. Eat a nutrient rich mid morning/afternoon snack. Almonds, greek yogurt, peanut butter and apples, or a boiled egg with fruit make an excellent snacks. They are packed with fiber and protein! This will help boost your metabolism and give you the nutrients your body craves!

3. Swap the Ranch Dressing for Balsamic. Not only will you cut out calories, but you will also cut out a large portion of cream, saturated fats, and cholesterol. Your arteries will thank you.

4. Put down the cans and frozen foods, reach for the whole foods. Processed foods are loaded with sodium, MSG, and lack the full amount of nutrients you should be eating. The high amounts of sodium retains water and can assist in blood pressure increases.

5. Use that crock pot you got for Christmas. This is a highly effective way of saving time preparing while eating fresh. Take 10 minutes in the morning to place a meal in the crock pot and enjoy a nice meal that's ready for you when you come home from work!

6. Reheat on a non-Teflon pan instead of microwaving. Microwaving your food can kill a lot of nutrients. If you use a pan with a little grape seed oil to reheat your chicken and whole wheat pasta, it's healthier and tastes better!

7. Say no to the drive-thru. If you get one thing out of this article, let it be this! Remember, fast is not fresh. The quality of your foods, the preparation, and the nutrients have all suffered in any fast food restaurant. Stick to bringing a lunch or eat out to a sit down dinner where they make your food fresh.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can utilize nutrition to have a healthier lifestyle, call Dr. Kosciusko, a Chiropractic/Clinical Nutrionist, that specializes in utilizing diet and Nutritional supplements to help battle chronic disease and stay healthy, at (401) 683-6430 or visit us on www.newhorizonchiro.com or Facebook and Twitter for healthy living tips and articles!