National Nutrition Month 2012

"Get Your Plate In Shape" is the theme for March 2012. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits (EatRight.org).

We should be balancing what we eat with fitness and movement. But it's important to "taste the rainbow" by incorporating color onto your plate with fruit and vegetables:

REDS: colored by natural plant pigments called lycopene. Lycopene which is found in tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit may reduce certain cancers, like prostrate cancer. Anthocyanins in strawberries, raspberries, red grapes contain antioxidants that protect skin cells. Also eat apples, cabbage, pomegranates, and cherries.

ORANGE & YELLOW: Colored by carotenoids and rich in beta-carotene and Vitamin A, pumpkins, carrots, sweet potato promote healthy eyes, maintain healthy mucous levels and may improve immune system overall. Plus it improves overall appearance of your skin! Citrus fruit like oranges and lemons are a great source of Vitamin C and folate. Try yellow watermelon, butternut squash and apricots.

BLUE/PURPLE: "The darker the berry, the sweeter the juice." The juice in dark berries(anthocyanins) provide powerful antioxidants that protect cells from damage, reduce stroke and heart disease and may improve memory. Foods from the blue/purple group include eggplant, blackberries, purple grapes and figs.

GREEN: Leafy dark greens, green peppers, celery and spinach contain lutein. Broccoli is an excellent source of folate, a vitamin that is essential in reducing risk of birth defects. Good for you fats found in avocados can be added to salads or topped with olive oil, salt and pepper. Options for green veges include brussel sprouts, asparagus and zucchini.

WHITE: These fruits and vegetables contain allicin which lowers cholesterol and blood pressure. Excellent source of potassium comes from bananas and potatoes. Eat mushroom, cauliflower, turnips and garlic to cleanse blood.

Tips to increase fruits and veges in your diet:
* Add vegetables to casseroles, stews and soups.
* Add lettuce, tomato, onions and peppers to sandwiches.
* Enjoy fruit smoothies for breakfast and green shakes for lunch.
* Bake with fruit purees to reduce fat and increase fiber.

One of my favorite side dishes is a mix of vegetables sauteed with olive oil and garlic. For more nutrition and healthy eating information, go to http://www.foodinsight.org/.

Celebrity Slim Downs

Whether the drive comes from within or from being a national spokesperson for a diet program, celebs are shedding pounds very QUICKLY. We are closing out National Nutrition Month soon so I'm wondering if these are safe healthy alternatives to weight loss. Or could it be the pressure to conform to Hollywood's standards? I read somewhere that a size 8 is considered "fat" in Hollywood. Really??? But everybody is not meant to be a size 2. Sometimes it looks great and sometimes it looks disproportionated. Celebrities may be experiencing the unexpected. Their size becomes the focus instead of their talent. JENNIFER HUDSON, recently interviewed on OPRAH, said "Don't look at me...Listen to me." She prefers us to get caught up in her song instead of what size her jeans are. Young mogul, RAVEN SYMONE feels her success and talent lie in the shadows of her smaller size. Most recently, JORDIN SPARKS came down a few dress sizes. Will the media put her on display too? (Read more about this here.)

MO'NIQUE swears "skinny girls are evil" but she has shed some pounds citing health benefits. She insists she will never be truly thin because she loves the way she is. It just makes me think, is losing weight a matter of better health and confidence or about conforming to someone's standard of beauty. Share your thoughts here please....would love to hear from you.

(Story inspired by adiosbarbie.com)

National Nutrition Month

Beauty comes from within.

That's the simple truth. We want to put good things into our bodies for clear skin, healthy hair, bright eyes, a beautiful smile...you get the picture. And our food choices impact the way we look.

"Eat Right With Color" is the theme for March 2011 NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH. Make room for veges, fruit, whole grains, lean protein and dairy. Frozen vegetables and fruit smoothies are a simple way to eat what you need every day. Starting your day with oatmeal? Add fruit! Blueberries are antioxidant, rich in beta carotene and fiber, and a good source of vitamins A, C and E. Benefits of bananas? Their full of potassium, reduce depression and stress and even ward off ulcers. All that from breakfast!

I recommend:

• Snacking on an apple for a natural tooth cleanser. It removes plaque...you can literally feel the difference.
• Eating apricots and mangos. They're full of Vitamin C which promote collagen -- reduces wrinkles and protects skin from sun damage.
• Trying spinach and kale at dinner. These are cancer fighting cruciferous veggies.

For beautiful skin and optimum health, add more color to your diet with suggestions found here.