"Eat Right with Color"

Put down the calculator. And lend an ear to the American Dietetic Association (ADA). They encourage a back-to-basics approach to better eating. This year's National Nutrition Month theme is to simply "Eat Right with Color!"

"Adding a splash of colorful seasonal foods to your plate makes for more than just a festive meal. A rainbow of foods creates a palette of nutrients, each with a different bundle of potential benefits for a healthful eating plan," says registered dietitian and ADA Spokesperson Karen Ansel. Tighten your waist band and stretch your life span? Go on ...

• Fruits and vegetables are a calorically conscious option rife with fiber, vitamins, and enzymes. A nutrient arsenal like that may help prevent chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, or diabetes.
• Whole grains provide dietary fiber, important for proper bowel function. USDA adds that "fiber-containing foods such as whole grains help provide a feeling of fullness with fewer calories."
• Dairy products supply calcium, potassium, and vitamin D. All of which "help build and maintain bone mass throughout the life cycle," writes USDA. This reduces the risk of osteoporosis or bone fractures.
  
• Lean meat doles out nutrients without excess saturated fat. Livestrong summarizes the benefits of lean meats in moderation. They pack a protein punch equal to that of overpriced supplements, along with essential amino acids needed to build and repair body tissue.

So branch out! Ansel suggests "instead of grilled chicken and mashed potatoes, consider ... grilled chicken topped with salsa, mashed sweet potato, asparagus and spinach salad with orange slices." It appeals visually, provides nutrients, and doesn't sacrifice flavor. I guess skittles aren't the only way to "taste the rainbow." ;o)

For more tips on how to "Eat Right with Color" during March and beyond, visit ADA's National Nutrition Month website.