(Es File Photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY – Small changes to your daily eating or drinking habits can make a positive difference to your health. The Chenango County Health Department wants to encourage you to join us and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in recognizing National Nutrition Month this March by learning how to make healthy choices about your food. National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn something new about food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits. This year's theme is "Beyond the Table," which addresses the farm-to-fork aspect of nutrition, from food production and distribution to navigating grocery stores and farmers markets.

Improve your overall health for the better by focusing on simple changes in your daily life. You can develop one or two healthy habits this month by using tools and tips to help you make nutritious choices that last all year long. Take advantage of available resources to help you start a few healthy habits and food choices. Here are some suggestions to get started.

Plan weekly meals ahead of time by writing out the ingredients you’ll need for each meal. This will help you meet all five food groups, save you money, and can double as a grocery list for easy shopping. Learn more about food groups at Eatright.org

Use nutrition labels  when grocery shopping to compare ingredients in different food items. Select items that have higher amounts of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber and lower amounts of sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars. Learn more about how to use the Nutrition Facts label as a tool for maintaining healthy dietary practices by visiting FDA’s “The Nutrition Facts Label: What’s in it for you?” website.

Use MyPlate.gov to create healthy, complete meals that cover all five groups. Check the free MyPlate Kitchen resource for over 1,000 healthy, inexpensive, and tasty recipes.

Eat smart by monitoring calorie intake and portion sizes using the Nutrition Facts label alongside MyPlate.

Drink more water. Drinking water is a healthy alternative to sugary drinks such as soda, fruit drinks, energy drinks or sports drinks and it is often served at no cost.

Diets rich in fruits and vegetables help reduce risk for numerous chronic health conditions that are leading causes of death, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. Yet, only about one in 10 adults eat enough fruits or vegetables. This month, plan to use some of the tips and tools available to improve your health. Plan meals before shopping, explore new recipes and use available resources. It can be fun, easier than you think, and positively impact your health.

You may also find valuable tips, tools, and nutrition information at the following websites: www.fda.gov/food, www.eatright.org,www.choosemyplate.gov.

Persons with questions or requiring additional information may contact the Chenango County Health Department at (607) 337-1660.

– Chenango County Health Department