Happy National Nutrition Month 2012!

This year's National Nutrition Month® theme is "Get Your Plate in Shape,” encouraging you to eat the recommended amounts of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods and dairy each day.

www.eatright.org/nnm

Eat Right Knox is here to give you suggestions and help throughout the month of March! This year we focus on the new MyPlate and encourage you to make simple changes to your daily eating plans to create lifelong healthy habits.

Launched in June 2011, USDA's MyPlate replaced MyPyramid as the government's primary food group symbol. The plate is divided into four sections: fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins, as well as a glass representing dairy products.

NNM History: Each March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages Americans to return to the basics of healthy eating. Initiated in 1973 as a week-long event, "National Nutrition Week" became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition. To commemorate the dedication of registered dietitians as the leading advocates for and experts in nutrition for Americans and people around the world, the second Wednesday of each March is celebrated as "Registered Dietitian Day." This year marks the fifth annual Registered Dietitian Day.

Information from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association). The Academy is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals and is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org.