Effingham, Ill – The American Heart Association has dedicated November as Eat Smart Month. In an interview with Carrie Skogsberg, She shares what families can do to eat healthy during the holidays.
Listen to the full interview here:
Information courtesy of the American Heart Association:
Eat Smart Month information
A few facts:
- Obesity and poor diet can have serious consequences like disability and loss of independence.
- Less than 1 percent of Americans meet the American Heart Association’s definition of ideal cardiovascular health, due primarily to poor diet.
- In 2010, poor diet was the leading contributor to premature death in the United States.
Eat Smart Key Messages
Messaging platform:
Healthy over the holidays? Yes, it’s possible and more important than ever during this indulgent season. Join the American Heart Association in celebrating Eat Smart Day on Nov. 1 and Eat Smart Month the rest of November as first steps in winning the winter months and being Healthy For Good™.
Primary Messages:
- The American Heart Association’s Healthy For Good movement celebrates Eat Smart Month this November with mindful eating tips, tools and information to help you stay prepared and motivated as we approach the holidays.
- During the holidays, many people help themselves to an extra side here and there, which adds up. Many count on New Year’s resolutions to balance the scale – but studies show half of that gain sticks around at least until summer.1
- Being healthy over the holidays doesn’t necessarily mean ditching your favorite meal. Look for ingredient substitutions and add color with seasonal fruits and vegetables like apples, pears, pumpkin and broccoli.
Call to Action:
For recipes and other practical information to help you eat smart during the holidays and year-round, join Healthy For Good at heart.org/HealthyForGood.
Secondary Messaging:
- Eat Smart Day and Eat Smart Month are part of the American Heart Association’s Healthy For Good Movement™, which was designed to help you make lasting changes through simple steps in four areas: Eat Smart, Add Color, Move More, Be Well.
- A balanced eating plan includes adding fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy proteins, low fat/non-fat dairy products, nuts, seeds, legumes and non-tropical vegetable oils.