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March 17, 2010

March is National Nutritiion Month

Submitted by the North Georgia Health District Dalton Daily Citizen

DALTON — By Leatha Chambers, Nutrition Program Manager

In today’s world there is more nutrition misinformation and quick fix diets available than sound nutrition education. With the American population becoming increasingly overweight, the amount of fad diets and diet gimmicks are growing, as well, leaving a population of people desperate to lose unwanted pounds. The American people spent nearly $40 billion last year on the diet industry, which includes diet books, diet foods, diet programs, and weight-loss gimmicks. So what should you do?

March is National Nutrition Month and it is a great time to learn to differentiate between good nutrition advice and nutrition misinformation. To recognize a fad diet, you need to know what to look for.



Red Flags to POOR Nutrition Advice                                                                                                                          

Recommendations that promise a quick fix.

Claims that sound too good to be true.

Lists of “good” and “bad” foods.

Claims that blame hormones for weight problems.

Recommendations made to help sell a product.

Recommendations to ban a specific food group.

Diet claims using the words “new” or “revolutionary”.

Simplistic conclusions drawn from a complex study.



Why are Americans becoming overweight? There are three primary reasons, the first being sedentary lifestyles. To effectively lose weight, understanding energy balance is key to being successful. When too many calories are consumed, weight gain is a result. When more calories are burned than what is consumed, weight loss is the result. One of the best ways to burn calories is to be active. Increase your daily activity in small increments. 

The second reason for becoming overweight is poor food choices. When high fat, high calorie foods are consumed, it is difficult to burn those calories. So be picky! Eat these foods occasionally. Choose foods that are lower in fat and calories and provide the vitamins and minerals your body needs to stay healthy.

The third reason American’s waist lines are growing is the obsession with dieting. Many people start and stop diets weekly. This makes a person feel like they have failed. Do not start another diet. Make one small change at a time and make it a habit. Then move to another change, before you know it, you will begin to see results!




National Nutrition Month is a registered trademark of the American Dietetic Association.

 

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