March is National Nutrition Month

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (March 1, 2017) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension Chautauqua County’s EFNEP Program would like to encourage all parents to model healthful eating habits. Since March is National Nutrition Month, what a better time to get started.

One suggestion is to try cooking from scratch at home, it will yield health benefits for you and your family. Serve regular, balanced meals and snacks with a variety of nutrient-rich foods, and enjoy family dinners each night or as often as possible.

Nutrient-dense options — foods packed with important nutrients — are naturally lean or low in solid fats and have little or no added solid fats, sugars or sodium.

Some small changes families can make to their eating habits:

Start the family's day with a nutritious breakfast.

During each meal, fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables.

Make at least half of the grains you eat whole grains.

Talk positively about eating healthy foods. Your kids are listening.

Making small changes in the kitchen is just one part of becoming healthier over time. Improving overall well-being requires a lifelong commitment to healthful lifestyle behaviors, including daily physical activity. Parents can provide opportunities and encourage their children to spend at least 60 minutes a day playing actively. An easy way is by planning an activity hour twice a week where parents and their kids can play a sport or physically active game together.

For more helpful suggestions, recipes or to set up a free nutrition class for families or other adults raising or caring for children and who participate in one of these programs: SNAP, WIC, free or reduced priced school meals, Medicaid, CACFP, TANF, FDPIR, or receive food from local food pantries, HEAP or if your child attends Head Start.

The EFNEP Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated March 1, 2017