Nutrition Matters

A column by Raina Childers,  MS, RD, LD Director of Nutritional Services at HealthPoint Plaza in Cape Girardeau Check out these other columns A Lunch from Home Make Changes to Keep Weight Off this Summer Start Your New Year Off Right Power up Your Plate National Nutrition Month

December Food Choices

HealthPoint Plaza's Nutritional Services Coordinator says December is a month filled with Christmas parties,school programs, shopping and basketball games, which translates into much eating "out!" Remember you are the customer, so be assertive and ask great questions about your choices. Hopefully these few tips will also help you survive this busy time.

• Order salad dressing and other sauces on the side.
• Share an appetizer. Half the appetizer equals half the calories.
• Share a dessert. Same rule as above applies.
• Drink water, diet soda or unsweetened tea instead of regular soda or alcoholic beverages.
• When choosing soup, choose broth based versions whenever possible.
• Choose foods made with whole grains. Examples might include whole grain breads or brown rice.
• Remember restaurant portions are usually excessive.
• Tonight's dinner can also be tomorrow's lunch.
• Stop eating when you are full- listen to the cues your body gives.