- National Nutrition Month - March 18, 2021
- National Diabetes Month - November 26, 2019
- National Nutrition Month - March 7, 2019
By: Katherine Geoghagan, RD, CDE
Dietary Guidelines
With all the different “diets” out there it can get confusing to know what works and what doesn’t. Diet is just a four letter word. We all eat; therefore, we all have a diet! Try to remember if it sounds too good to be true…it probably is! So, what is a person trying to lose weight and be healthy to do?
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans is a good place to start. These guidelines are simple. The hard part is putting them into practice as a regular part of your lifestyle. First, balance calories with physical activity to manage weight. So, move more and eat less to lose those few extra pounds. Second, eat more of certain foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat free dairy and lean meats. Remember there are more whole grains out there besides just whole wheat bread. Third, eat fewer foods that are high in sodium, saturated fats, trans fats, refined flours and added sugars. My motto: “Little Debbie is not your friend”.
It takes some planning to include wholesome foods into your diet. Start with one food group at a time. Make changes gradually and try something new!
Katherine Geoghagan is a Registered Dietician and Certified Diabetic Educator and is available for diabetic counseling and personal weight loss management.