50+ Lifestyles

National Nutrition Month

By Peggy Dykes
Community Relations Director
Milestone’s Area Agency on Aging

March is National Nutrition Month and this year’s theme “Put Your Best Fork Forward,” reminds us that each bite counts. Making just small shifts in our food choices, can add up over time. The American Dietary Guidelines suggest starting with small changes in order to make healthier lasting changes you can enjoy. Start with small changes in eating habits – one forkful at a time. So whether planning meals to prepare at home or making selections when eating out, Put Your Best Fork Forward to help find a healthy eating style.

Here are a few tips from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics:

1. Create an eating style that includes a variety of your favorite, healthful foods.

2. Practice cooking more at home and experiment with
healthier ingredients.

3. How much we eat is as important as what we eat. Eat and drink the right amount for you, as USDA MyPlate encourages us to do. (www.choosemyplate.gov)

4. Find activities that you enjoy and be physically active most days of the week.

5. Manage your weight or lower your health risks by
consulting a registered dietitian nutritionist or your health care provider.

A good way to eat a nutritious noon meal and get more nutrition education is to attend a Senior Meal Center facilitated by Milestones Area Agency on Aging. Each center is unique and strives to improve quality of life by providing opportunities to come together to socialize, to help connect to community resources, to learn to live a healthier lifestyle and to obtain a nutritious meal.

Anyone age 60-plus, along with their spouse of any age, is welcome to dine at a Senior Nutrition Center, regardless of income. Meals are funded in part by the Older Americans Act and with voluntary contributions by age-eligible participants. Service will not be denied based on level of contribution. Homebound seniors in most areas can also enjoy a hot, nutritious meal delivered right to their home.

Locations, serving days and times are listed on Milestones website at www.milestonesaaa.org or call 1-855-410-6222 for a brochure with all the details.

Peggy Dykes is Community Relations Director at Milestones Area Agency on Aging. She can be reached at (563) 324-9085, ext. 212 or at pdykes@milestones aaa.org.