March is National Nutrition Month
Eat more vegetables and fruits, including Michigan Apples
LANSING, Mich. – March is National Nutrition Month, an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, encouraging consumers to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits. The Michigan Apple Committee celebrates this observance by encouraging people to choose nutritious foods that have vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients. Michigan Apples are a great choice along with other healthy fruits and vegetables.
“Whenever I speak to groups or individuals about healthy eating, I usually start with talking about the need for more fruits and vegetables. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), just 1 in 10 adults consume the recommended amounts. Fruits and veggies add color, flavor and texture to meals and are packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber,” said Shari Steinbach, MS, RDN, and official dietitian for the Michigan Apple Committee.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages consumers to eat a variety of nutritious foods every day, from all food groups. They recommend planning meals and keeping healthful ingredients on hand.
“Unfortunately, the current low intake of nutrient-rich foods and beverages has actually resulted in the underconsumption of some key nutrients and dietary components. Among these are calcium, potassium, dietary fiber, and vitamin D,” said Steinbach. “Eating just one apple a day, with the skin, will provide an average of 4.5 grams of fiber and a tennis ball-sized apple contains only about 80 calories. In addition, an apple will provide approximately 180 mg of potassium. So, making Michigan Apples a regular part of your food choices is helping you increase your intake of two under consumed nutrients and dietary components – fiber and potassium!”
Steinbach offers meal solutions, healthy eating tips, shopping lists and more as part of her partnership with the Michigan Apple Committee. Read her blog at https://www.michiganapples.com/Healthy-Living/Healthy-Living-Blog.
The Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to marketing, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption in Michigan and around the world. For more information, visit www.MichiganApples.com.
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