Right Food Choices Can Reduce Chronic Health Conditions

(March is National Nutrition Month)

March is National Nutrition Month, an annual campaign established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In an effort to develop good nutrition and thriving communities, Rural Health, Inc. (RHI) encourages residents to learn about making informed food choices, and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits, to help reduce their chances of developing chronic health conditions.

This year’s theme is “Discover the Power of Nutrition.” Building healthy habits into your day to help you feel great now and in the future is the goal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), poor nutrition and physical inactivity increase the risk of chronic conditions like obesity, depression, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some cancer; which can lead to disability and premature death.

While it’s often easiest to read nutrition headlines or search for nutritious options, knowing what works best for you should be your first step. What works for others may not be what’s best for you.

“A registered dietician can expertly guide you with information driven by science and help you feel confident about your food and beverage choices and their impact on your overall health,” said Morgan Atherton, Registered Dietician/Licensed Dietician for Rural Health, Inc. “You learn how to choose healthful foods from all food groups, how to alternate your food choices for a variety of nutrients, and how to avoid fad diets that are often low in nutritional value.”

In addition to getting the most nutrition from your meal choices, a nutritionist can also help you learn cooking and meal preparation skills that also reduce your risk for foodborne illness, locate community resources such as SNAP, WIC, and local food banks, develop physical activity in ways that work for you, and work with you and your healthcare provider to control diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health issues impacted by poor nutrition.

Rural Health, Inc. offers nutrition services to established RHI patients on a referral basis. To learn more about improving your nutrition for better health, contact Morgan Atherton at Rural Health, Inc. at 618-833-4471 or visit www.ruralhealthinc.org. For information on National Nutrition Month, visit www.eatright.org/about-national-nutrition-month.

Rural Health, Inc. (RHI) is a not-for-profit organization serving Johnson, Massac, and Union counties in Illinois, designated by the federal government as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), whose mission is to provide quality services to all patients in need of healthcare while being committed to the overall health and well-being of the underserved.

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