Wednesday is National Eating Healthy Day. The American Heart Association wants to encourage families to focus on eating healthy for a day to build good habits.
South Dakotans are falling behind in their fruit and vegetable consumption. As Part of National Eating Healthy Day, the American Heart Association and Beef Industry Council are encouraging consumers to make small changes in daily eating habits.
Chrissy Meyer is the communications director for the American heart association. She says one step to forming good habits is incorporating fruits and vegetables into each meal.
“If you’re taking lunch to work, instead of grabbing that bag of chips, maybe grab a bag of baby carrots instead and try to get one more serving of vegetables into you day,” says Meyer.
And with the start of the holiday season, Meyer’s best advice to not breaking good habits is to consume holiday foods in moderation.
“If you’re at a holiday party and there’s a buffet of food out on the table, maybe on that first pass through the buffet maybe you’re going to load your plate up with fruits and veggies and really concentration on filling all or at least all or half of your plate with those healthy food options, but then also enjoy those holiday favorites,” says Meyer.
Meyer is also encouraging people to make healthier choices in the meat isle too.
“With our partnership with the beef industry council we want to find ways to encourage people to make leaner choices in their protein choices. So instead of choosing a rib eye for dinner tonight, maybe look at a leaner cut of meat like sirloin or tenderloin or something like that,” says Meyer.
With over two-thirds of American adults facing obesity, Meyer says eating healthy day is a good reminder to start making small changes that can improve overall heath.
To attend an event in Sioux Falls or Rapid City visit: www.heart.org/southdakota