Spring is here and it’s the start of new things as March is a month of new beginnings and celebrations. It’s the start of spring, the days get longer, the weather warms, there’s Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day.
And you can also make it the month of new nutritional beginnings. Cap off “National Nutrition Month®” by making healthy choices and eating well in your assisted living community, helping make senior living a good living experience.
To help you get started, we have eight great healthy eating tips. Put these tasty tips into practice to improve your health and feel good about what you eat.
- Explore new foods and flavors—As you may know, the theme of National Nutrition Month® is all about flavors and foods from around the world. Add more nutrition to your meals by adding new foods or changing things up. Pick fruits, vegetables and whole grains you haven’t tried before.
- Lower your sugar intake—Food and drinks with added sugars don’t give you little if any nutrition and are empty calories. Read the new, improved Nutrition Facts Label or ingredients list to see if what you want to eat has added sugar.
- Get to know food labels—Speaking of Nutrition Facts labels, reading the labels can help you choose foods and drinks that meet your nutrient needs.
- Make half your plate fruits and vegetables—Add color, flavor and texture to your plate and diet with fruits and vegetables. They also add vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Set a daily goal of 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables. Try different types of fruits and vegetables and even include fresh, frozen and canned.
- Watch portion sizes—A good rule of thumb is to use half your plate for fruits and vegetables and the other half for grains and lean protein foods. Fat-free or low-fat mile or yogurt can complete your meal. Watch your serving sizes and think about how much is one-half cup or 1 cup.
- Eat breakfast—Starting your day with a healthy breakfast to include lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. A breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, low-fat cheese, salsa and a whole tortilla or fruit smoothie, or whole grain cereal are all great options.
- Drink more water—Quench your thirst with water instead of drinks with added sugars. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, especially as the weather warms and if you enjoy taking walks or getting exercise.
- Choose healthy snacks—Healthy snacks give you good energy between meals. Pick grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, or protein. Try raw fruits or vegetables and pair them with low-fat cottage cheese or hummus. Another option is nut or seed butter with an apple or banana.
Get To Know Auburn Hill Senior Living
At Auburn Hill Senior Living we know that choosing the right community for yourself or a loved one is a big responsibility. Touring communities and asking questions can be taxing.
Let us make the experience enjoyable for you! We invite you to schedule a visit and come out to experience the Auburn Hill difference for yourself.