During National Nutrition Month and Beyond, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Encourages Everyone To 'Get Your Plate in Shape'

CHICAGO, March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage an increased focus on fruits and vegetables and an understanding of proper portion sizes. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) helps consumers understand how to implement these suggestions into their daily lives with "Get Your Plate in Shape," this year's theme of National Nutrition Month®.

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Each March, the Academy encourages Americans to return to the basics of healthy eating. This year's National Nutrition Month theme encourages consumers to ensure they are eating the recommended amounts of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods and dairy each day.

"The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is committed to improving the nutritional health of consumers by translating sound, science- and evidence-based research into messages they can understand and apply to their everyday lives," said registered dietitian and Academy President Sylvia Escott-Stump.

"Each year, National Nutrition Month provides us the opportunity to remind consumers of the basics of healthy eating. By focusing this year's theme on the new MyPlate, we can help people make the simple changes to their daily eating plans that will benefit them for a lifetime."

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 advancing the nutritional status of 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.

Launched in June 2011, USDA's MyPlate replaced MyPyramid as the government's primary food group symbol as an easy-to-understand visual cue to help consumers adopt healthy eating habits consistent with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines. Dividing the plate into four sections: fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins, as well as a glass representing dairy products, it shows consumers how they can incorporate the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines into every meal.

"MyPlate is a great tool for helping people be mindful of what foods they should be eating and how much should be on their plate. Our 'Get Your Plate in Shape' theme takes it a step further by giving consumers ideas for creative ways to include the food groups, helping them think out of the box to make every meal both healthful and enjoyable," Escott-Stump said.

As part of this public education campaign, the Academy's National Nutrition Month website (www.eatright.org/nnm) includes helpful tips, fun games, promotional tools and nutrition education resources, all designed to spread the message of good nutrition around the "Get Your Plate in Shape" theme.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy 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.

SOURCE Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics