'Get Your Plate In Shape': Tampa Dietetic Association Promotes National Nutrition Month®

Online, February 29, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Get Your Plate In Shape - Tampa Dietetic Association Promotes National Nutrition Month®

TAMPA - Tampa Dietetic Association is proud to join the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) during March in celebrating National Nutrition Month®. This year's National Nutrition Month theme is "Get Your Plate in Shape!" - To help people feel better and be healthier by including a variety of great tasting fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy on their plates every day.

"When you get your plate in shape, you eat real food to give you real results. It's easy when you let us show you how." says Dr Diane Longstreet, the President of the Tampa Dietetic Association

The Tampa Dietetic Association will host a booth at the March 2-3 Gasparilla Distance Classic Event at the Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, FL. Registered Dietitians will be there to give you the tools to improve your health and fitness. The booth will feature interactive educational activities, handouts, give aways, and free healthy food samples.

Simple and easy strategies to "Get Your Plate in Shape" include:

• Make half of your plate fruits and vegetables: Eat a variety of vegetables, especially dark-green, red and orange varieties. Add fresh, dried, or frozen fruits to meals and snacks.
• Make at least half your grains whole: Check the ingredients list on food packages to find 100- percent whole-grain foods.
• Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk: Fat-free and low-fat milk have the same amount of calcium and other essential nutrients as whole milk, but less fat and calories. For those who are lactose intolerant, try lactose-free milk or a calcium-fortified soy beverage.
• Vary your protein choices: Eat a variety of foods from the protein food group each week, such as seafood, nuts and beans, as well as lean meat, poultry and eggs. Choose fish as the protein at least twice a week.
• Cut back on salt (sodium) and empty calories from solid fats and added sugars: Compare sodium in foods and choose those with lower numbers. Season your foods with herbs and spices instead of salt. Switch from solid fats to healthy oils like olive and canola oil. Replace sugary drinks with water and choose fresh fruit for dessert.
• Enjoy your foods but eat less: Avoid oversized portions. Use a smaller plate, bowl and glass. Cook more often at home where you are in control of what's in your food. When eating out, choose lower calorie menu options.
• Be physically active your way: Adults need at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of physical activity every week. Choose activities that you enjoy, and start by doing as much as you can.

Visit the Tampa Dietetic Association website at tampadietitians.org or contact Dr Diane Longstreet at (813) 960-9026 for more information or to schedule a presentation on nutrition for your group.