UMaine Extension celebrates National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Eat Well Nutrition Education Program is encouraging Mainer’s to “Get Your Plate in Shape” by including a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy products on their plates every day. The Eat Well Nutrition Education Program provides nutrition education to income-eligible youth, adults and older adults throughout the state.
To “Get Your Plate in Shape,” take action on the 2012 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate recommendations by making changes in the following four areas. Choose steps that work for you and start today.
March activities that are open and free to the public:
• Saturday, March 10 — Homemade Convenience Foods / Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge, Limestone 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.;
• Saturday and Sunday, March 24 and 25 — Home Food Preservation / Agribusiness Trade Show, Presque Isle (call for times); and
• Friday, March 30 — Small Steps to Health and Wealth / Ladies Only Land Cruise, Caribou Inn and Convention Center. Call 498-1361 to pre-register with HealthyU at Cary Medical Center.
Nutritional tips include balancing calories. Individuals are encouraged to enjoy food, but eat less and avoid oversized portions.
The Extension offers these suggestions for foods to increase:
• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables;
• Make at least half your grains whole grains; and
• Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1 percent) milk. For those who are lactose intolerant, try lactose-free milk or a calcium-fortified soy beverage.
Recommendations for foods to reduce include:
• Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread or frozen meals, and choose the foods with lower numbers, and season your foods with herbs and spices instead of salt;
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks; and
• Switch from solid fats to healthy oils like olive or canola oil.
Another recommendation is for individuals to be physically active “your way.” Adults need at least 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week. The 30 minutes can be broken up into shorter 10-minute segments throughout the day. Choose activities that you enjoy, and start by doing as much as you can.
UMaine Extension programs are open and accessible to all in accordance with program goals. To provide adequate time to respond to your request, please provide as much notice as possible.
If you are a person with a disability and will need accommodations to participate in this program, call Lisa Fishman at 800-287-1421 to discuss your needs. Receiving requests for accommodations at least 14 days before the program provides a reasonable amount of time to meet the request, however all requests will be accepted.
