National Nutrition Month® 2018

No matter your age, healthy eating habits are important for a long, vibrant life. This is why the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics created National Nutrition Month® as a means to drive awareness and education surrounding the importance of making healthy food choices, developing better eating habits, and exercising regularly. The Academy’s mission is to promote optimal nutrition for those of all ages, and National Nutrition Month helps provide timely, valuable information regarding food and nutrition.

The theme of National Nutrition Month this year is Go Further with Food. The foods you choose to consume every day have a major impact on your overall health, and it’s important to make small changes to your diet that can go a long way.

Developing Healthy Eating Habits as You Age

Eating right doesn’t have to be complicated, and for seniors, proper nutrition is even more vital. Older adults need essential vitamins and nutrients possibly even more so than their younger counterparts due to the changes you face to your metabolism in your later years. Healthy eating habits help ensure you are reducing your risk for a variety of chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Additionally, proper nutrition keeps all systems of the body functioning as they should, making it easier to maintain an ideal weight, build stronger bones and teeth, enjoy fewer issues with digestion, and even improve cognitive function.

This National Nutrition Month, take a look at your own eating habits to discover where you can implement changes if necessary. For example, if you have a sweet tooth and have a hard time resisting dessert, try to limit yourself to just one sweet treat every week. Or, incorporate more fruits into your desserts for a healthier option. Here are a few ways to develop healthy eating habits, no matter your age:

Meal prep weekly. Before you head to the grocery store, devise your meal plan for the week and shop for only the items you truly need. This way, you won’t be scrambling mid-week for a dinner idea, which could ultimately lead to stopping somewhere for a quick burger.
Start your day with more. It’s often tempting to eat a small breakfast and lunch, and then have a large, calorie-laden meal for dinner. Nutrition experts recommend you do the exact opposite of this, eating a large, healthy breakfast and lunch so you’re fueled up for the day. This way, you can enjoy a lighter dinner, plus avoid going to sleep right after consuming the majority of your daily calories.
Create easy-to-grab healthy snacks. There’s no doubt that pre-packaged snacks like chips and cookies are convenient and easy to eat. For this reason, apply the same mentality to healthier options. For instance, fill baggies or containers with pre-portioned snacks like chopped veggies, nuts, trail mix or dried fruit. When you just need a little something to curb your appetite, you’ll have nutritious snacks ready to go.
Eat your veggies. Add veggies to your dinners as much as possible. While you’re chopping them up for your weekly snacks, set some aside for your nightly meals. This way, it will be simple to incorporate them into healthy dinners as side dishes or in salads while replacing more high-carb, starchy options like pasta or rice.
Allow for treats. Don’t deny yourself the treats you might be craving. Of course, you should avoid overindulging, but allowing yourself a treat every once in a while can keep you on the right track. Aim for healthier options like dark chocolate or pretzels, saving around 200 calories for the treats you crave.

Enjoy a Healthy Lifestyle at Advent Christian Village

You’ll find a variety of dining options at Advent Christian Village to ensure you’re maintaining proper nutrition and enjoying a healthy lifestyle. From meals served in the beautiful Ann & Quinton Rumph Dining Room to casual options in the Lopin’ Gopher Deli or Village Café, we guarantee your taste buds will be satisfied while you’re getting the nutrition you need to thrive. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a personal tour.