National Nutrition Month

National Nutrition Month began as National Nutrition Week in 1973 and has since grown from a week of sharing nutrition information, increasing public awareness, and encouraging healthy food decision-making to activating you to a healthier lifestyle. Today’s current health issue: Curb the nations’ obesity rate.

This is where the OneWorld Community Health Center’s Nutrition Program and their Registered Dietitians and nutritionists come in. The WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program is a program that evaluates the needs of pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children from 0-5 years old, for health and nutrition risk and provides a prescriptive food package for their health needs. The WIC supplemental food package is packed with a balance of nutritious foods beginning with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads, tortillas and brown rice. Proteins and healthy fats are supplied by way of low-fat milk, eggs, beans and peanut butter. The WIC also provides education and activities that help both parents and children develop healthier eating and lifestyle choices through their breastfeeding support program group—as breastfeeding has a positive effect on reducing child obesity—the “Toddler Learn & Play” activity. OneWorld nutritionists also collaborate with the South YMCA and the Alegent Health Initiative “Healthy Families,” whose intervention caters to improvements for older overweight children through a family-centered approach.

So what can you do to improve your family’s health? Follow the four P’s:
Plant-based. Half your plate should be fruits and vegetables.
Pure foods. Choose foods that are whole grains and not overly processed like boxed dinners or snacks or highly sugared drinks.
Portion size. Serve smaller portions of food from each of the food groups.
Play. Play a game of tag or just dance in the living room with your children for at least one hour every day.