Other issues of Nutrition Advisor

Get your New Year’s resolution back on track during National Nutrition Month^®

It’s been two months since New Years… have you kept your resolutions? What better time than National Nutrition Month® to evaluate your progress and set new goals?  If you’re looking for encouragement, keep reading to learn how to transform your lion of a diet into a lamb in no time.

• Go for the long haul. Stop thinking of your eating behaviors as either "good" or "bad." Don’t get down in the dumps if you got off track with your diet for a day or so. Look at the big picture instead. No one food or meal will discredit all the work you have already done. This mindset will give you more flexibility in your meal planning and keep your motivation level high even after a less than "perfect" day of eating. Following a balanced diet is a lifelong commitment and some days are going to be better than others.
• Read the label. Some of your favorite foods may come in lower calorie, fat, or sodium versions. For example, different brands of fat-free yogurt can vary up to 40% in calories! Saving a few calories here and there adds up. Make sure to read the label and pay attention to portion sizes.
• Work it out. If all of your successful diet modifications have put you on a weight loss plateau, kick it into high gear with exercise. Set a new goal to always take the stairs, walk instead of driving whenever possible, or try a new exercise class. If your biggest challenge is time, break up your activity into 10-minute increments, three times a day.
• Know your facts. Don’t fall for fads or change your entire way of eating based on one study or report. Good nutrition advice should be based on solid scientific research. Speak with a registered dietitian (RD) when you want to know the facts. RDs are specially trained to help translate confusing scientific information into practical advice.
• Don’t go it alone. Eating right shouldn’t be so complicated! Meeting with an RD can help you design a personalized program that’s all about you! To find an RD in your area, visit www.eatright.org. Employees at Yale-New Haven Hospital and their covered dependents who participate in the YNHHS Advantage and Advantage Plus Medical Plans are eligible for three nutrition counseling sessions per year. Call 688-2422 for more information.
  

The Yale-New Haven Nutrition Advisor is created by registered dietitians and dietetic interns who staff the Nutrition Clinic at Yale-New Haven Hospital. For information, contact the Nutrition InfoLine at (203) 688-2422.

For more information on this topic, see

• CDC - Nutrition For Everyone
• American Dietetic Association - Food & Nutrition Information

Last revised: March 26, 2008 (dh)

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

All information is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.