“Cooking from scratch will yield health benefits for you and your family,” says registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy spokesperson Jennifer Bruning. “Serve regular, balanced meals and snacks with a variety of nutrient-rich foods, and enjoy family dinners each night or as often as possible.”
Nutrient-dense options — foods packed with important nutrients — are naturally lean or low in solid fats and have little or no added solid fats, sugars or sodium.
Bruning suggests small changes families can make to their eating habits:
- Start the family’s day with a nutritious breakfast.
- During each meal, fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables.
- Make at least half of the grains you eat whole grains.
- Talk positively about eating healthy foods. Your kids are listening.
- Work with a registered dietitian nutritionist to create a plan that works best for you and your family.
Making small changes in the kitchen is just one part of becoming healthier over time. Improving overall well-being requires a lifelong commitment to healthful lifestyle behaviors, including daily physical activity. Parents can provide opportunities and encourage their children to spend time each day playing fun, physical activities.
“The first thing parents can do is set a good example by being physically active,” says Bruning. “An easy way is by planning an activity hour twice a week where parents and their kids can play a sport or physically active game together.”
As part of National Nutrition Month the Academy’s website includes articles, recipes, videos and educational resources to spread the message of good nutrition and an overall healthy lifestyle for people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. Consumers can also follow National Nutrition Month on Facebook and Twitter (#NationalNutritionMonth).
All registered dietitians are nutritionists – but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. The Academy’s Board of Directors and Commission on Dietetic Registration have determined that those who hold the credential registered dietitian (RD) may optionally use “registered dietitian nutritionist” (RDN) instead. The two credentials have identical meanings.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy at eatright.org.