Each March the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics casts a spotlight on the importance of making informed choices about the food you buy, and about establishing good eating and activity habits.
Many, if not most of us, know we should eat better.
How many times have you heard the phrase "You are what you eat"?
There are way more articles about kicking poor eating habits than I have space for in this blogpost.
Just how badly are Americans chowing down?
In an October 3, 2018 piece, CNN quoted Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) health statistician Cheryl Fryar:
"On any given day in the United States, an estimated 36.6% or approximately 84.8 million adults consume fast food."
Sometimes I actually eat well, even nutritiously. But then again....
One day not long ago, my dinner consisted of about a third of a bag of pretzel sticks, topped off by several servings of strawberry jello topped with a layer or two of cottage cheese.
A definite "D minus" in report card speak.
No "F" because the pretzel sticks were labeled as "low fat." Likewise for the cottage cheese. If I'm to believe the packaging.
This time my Mom did not say (and I sure was surprised) what she's told me many times in my life:
You. Don't. Eat. Right.
Alright. Chances are, each one of us is not going to improve our eating habits immediately.
However one little step (sometimes one-half of one step), followed by another step, and another.
There is hope.
Convenience seems to be the culprit. If you want to eat in a healthier manner, don't eat out as much--start cooking your own meals at home.
Plan and buy nutritious food.
As Time noted in a December 2018 article, most Americans fail to consume enough fruits and vegetables.
The following list of sources should get you started.
Plus, you can always ask for assistance at the fourth-floor (Reference) desk. Phone: 847-376-2841. Email the Refererence desk at ReferenceServicesDesk@dppl.org
Food for thought. Literally. And not just in March.
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