March is national Nutrition Month, and this year's theme — developed by the American Dietetic Association — is "Food & Fitness Build a Healthy Lifestyle." This theme reminds us that to stay healthy, we need to eat a balanced diet and maintain an adequate level of physical activity. The 2000 Dietary Guidelines for Americans offers the following ABC's:
Aim for Fitness: Aim for a healthy weight; be physically active each day (about 30 minutes of moderate activity/day for adults).
Build a Healthy Base: Let the food guide pyramid direct your food choices; choose a variety of grains daily, especially whole grains; choose a variety of fruits and vegetables daily; keep food safe to eat.
Choose Sensibly: Choose a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat; choose beverages and foods to moderate your intake of sugars; choose and prepare foods with less salt; if you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.
For information about Nutrition Month activities at NIH, visit the Division of Nutrition Research Coordination web site at http://www.niddk.nih.gov/federal/dnrc/nutrition_month.htm.
This year's activities include a lecture on "Regulation of Folate Receptor-Mediated Vitamin Transport: Implications for Neural Tube Defects" to be presented by Dr. Victoria L. Stevens, associate professor, Emory University School of Medicine on Thursday, Mar. 1 at Rockledge II, Conf. Rm. 9112 from 1-2 p.m.
The Clinical Center dietetic interns will be hosting an information booth entitled "Sporting a Healthy Lifestyle: Fun with Food and Nutrition" on Thursday, Mar. 15, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Bldg. 10, outside 2nd floor cafeteria, and on Thursday, Mar. 29, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in Bldg. 31, outside 1st floor cafeteria. Stop by to learn about sports nutrition, healthy eating and how to reach and maintain a healthy weight. There will be handouts, interactive games and prizes.
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