Three months ago, many Iowans pledged that 2011 would be the year they ‘get healthy.’ For some, that meant strict diets with unrealistic requirements, or lofty fitness goals that included hours of daily exercise. While television shows or expensive weight-loss retreats may highlight results from these types of approaches, a simpler, more common-sense approach can be successful as well. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reminds Iowans that March is National Nutrition Month – a good opportunity to brush up on the proven, healthy ways to achieve wellness.
“The best approaches to weight loss and fitness are the ones that can be sustained over the long term,” said IDPH Director, Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. “Fad diets and exercise may have short-term success, but common sense approaches that combine healthy eating with physical activity will result in a lifetime of good health.”
In January, the U.S. Department of Health and Human services released Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, emphasizing three major goals for Americans:
-Enjoy your food, but eat less and avoid oversized portions
-Eat more fruits and vegetables and switch to fat-free or 1 percent milk
-Drink water instead of sugary drinks and read food labels to choose items with lower sodium (salt) content
-Live Healthy Iowa encourages Iowans to include both physical activity and a healthy eating plan as they work toward their fitness goals. By visiting www.livehealthyiowa.org, Iowans can find recipes, fitness tips and motivational tools that can help turn fitness into a lifelong experience; not a goal to be met and then forgotten.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 include 23 key recommendations for the general population and six additional key recommendations for specific population groups, such as pregnant women. The recommendations are intended to help people choose an overall healthy diet. For more information, visit www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2010.asp.|
