National Nutrition Month ®

 

Each year in March, the American Dietetic Association sponsors National Nutrition Month® to focus on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. The theme for March 2007 is “100% Fad Free” and promotes eating for balance, variety and moderation.

What’s a Fad?

Too often people follow the latest food fad rather than focusing on overall health. Exaggerated claims that eating or not eating specific foods, nutrient supplements or combinations of foods may offer quick weight loss are key features of fad diets. Food and nutrition misinformation can have harmful effects on your health, well-being, and your wallet! Through the “100% Fad Free” campaign, people are encouraged to get back to the basics and use the 2005 Dietary Guidelines and MyPyramid as a guide to healthy eating.

More information on National Nutrition Month® and the national “100% Fad Free” campaign can be found at http://www.eatright.org.

This Year at ISU

The Nutrition Education Committee, made up of several ISU Dining staff, promotes a healthy lifestyle through balanced nutrition and regular physical activity. As a part of National Nutrition Month® 2007, each dining center will display meal selections that are “100% Fad Free.” The Fad Free meal choices will be based on a 2,000 calorie diet and follow dietary guidelines of limiting total fat to 30% or less of calories, saturated fat to less than 20 grams per day, sodium to less than 2,400 milligrams per day, and cholesterol to less than 300 milligrams per day while taking into account simple sugars.

A National Nutrition Month® fair will be held in the UDCC commons near the West Side Market c-store on Thursday, March 29, from 10 to 2 p.m.

Past Years

In 2006, different nutrition contests were posted online throughout the month. Questions were based mostly on the Food Guide Pyramid. Past National Nutrition Month® topics have included “Think Your Drink,” “Portion Distortion,” “Fats of Life,” and “Fiber.” For more information on the Food Guide Pyramid, visit www.mypyramid.gov.