Nutrition Times - March 2020 - Nutrition Month Edition

USDA Food and Nutrition Service sent this bulletin at 03/05/2020 03:38 PM EST

Nutrition Times

Nutrition Month Edition March 2020

Guy shopping looking at phone for nutrition facts

March Is National Nutrition Month

National Nutrition Month, which is celebrated each March, focuses on the importance of making informed food choices and developing good eating and physical activity habits. This edition of Nutrition Times will highlight resources that will help you chart a course towards healthier eating and exercise.

Our most liked tweet in February:

Focus on family at dinnertime. Turn off the TV and make a phone “parking spot” away from the table. More tips: go.usa.gov/xNppg

Dietary Guidelines for Americans

The Dietary Guidelines is designed to help Americans eat a healthier diet. By law, the Dietary Guidelines must be updated every five years and be based on current research and public health concerns. You can access the current electronic 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines by clicking here. It contains easy-to-follow recommendations for health professionals, as well as everyday Americans, of what good nutrition and physical activity should be.

MyPlate Plan

How many cups of fruits and vegetables should I have a day now that I'm 60 years old? How much protein should my 2 year old be getting? How many calories should I be eating if I exercise one hour every day? If you often find yourself looking up these answers, then try using the MyPlate Plan tool. It shows your food group targets - what to eat and how much to eat - within your calorie allowance. Then you can print out the .pdf of your plan like the one below and post it on your refrigerator or wall.

Physical Activity Ideas

Start Simple with MyPlate app

After you have gained a better understanding of what you should be eating for a healthy lifestyle, you can set goals and reminders with the new Start Simple with MyPlate app. The app helps you incorporate the important food groups (fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy) into daily life by providing simple tips and thought starters to help meet those goals every day.

Click here to learn more and download.

USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) is a grant program that funds projects in all U.S. states and territories that help SNAP recipients make healthy food choices and choose physically active lifestyles. Through these grants, many states have developed great resources to help children, families, and people with disabilities remain physically active. Click here to check out these physical activity resources.

Here are some general physical activity recommendations:

Adults (18-64 years old): Aim for 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) each week of moderate activity, such as walking, bike riding, light yard work and chores, or dancing.
Children (6-17 years old): Kids should aim for 60 or more minutes each day of physical activity. Make sure it's fun for them!
Young Children (2-5 years old): Young children do not have a recommended activity level for them. If you have children this age, have them play actively at least a few times each day.

The Importance of School Breakfast

School Breakfast Week is sponsored by the School Nutrition Association and will be celebrated March 2-6, 2020. The week raises awareness about the importance of breakfast to the health and education of students. Did you know that according to a study by No Kid Hungry, on average students who eat school breakfast have been shown to:

Achieve 17.5% higher scores on standardized math tests
Attend 1.5 more days of school per year

There are many ways to serve breakfast to fit your school's schedule from traditional breakfast in a cafeteria to breakfast in the classroom to Grab 'n' Go Breakfast. Click here to find out which option is best for your school.

Nutrition and Physical Activity for Pregnant Women

USDA's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) helps ensure new and expectant mothers have the specialized nutrition, resources, and health care referrals they need. Below are some resources to help pregnant moms make good choices on nutrition and exercise.

Check out WIC's "Tips for Pregnant Moms" fact sheet, which can help pregnant moms make healthy food choices with a daily food checklist.

Check out The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommendations on exercise during pregnancy to learn the benefits and how much you should be doing.

SNAP at Farmers Markets

The ability of SNAP participants to use their SNAP benefits at farmers markets can increase SNAP participants' access to fresh-from-the-farmer foods and increases the customer base and revenues for farmers. At the end of FY2019, more than 3,600 farmers markets and direct marketing farmers accept SNAP benefits.

SNAP participants trying to find the nearest farmers market or direct marketing farmer that accepts SNAP can enter their address into the SNAP retail locator.

Featured Food: Dry Beans

Dry beans, lentils, and peas are an excellent addition to any meal and provide endless culinary options. They are a great source of protein, iron, and fiber, and are naturally free from sodium, fat, and cholesterol. Dry beans, lentils, and peas come in many varieties such as black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, navy beans as well as yellow and red lentils, and green peas. Cooking with dry beans is simple but you have to plan ahead.

Click here for steps on how to cook with dry beans.

Team Nutrition Training Grant Applications Due April 3, 2020

A Request for Applications for the Fiscal Year 2020 Team Nutrition Training Grant for School Meal Recipe Development is now available through Grants.gov. The FY 2020 Team Nutrition Training Grant for School Meal Recipe Development will assist states in helping schools offer meals supported by recipes that utilize local agricultural products and reflect local food preparation practices and taste preferences. FNS expects to award approximately $5.2 million to state agencies (up to $300,000 per state) that administer the National School Lunch Program. Click here to learn more.

Comments Wanted on Our New Proposed Rules for Child Nutrition Programs

FNS currently has two Child Nutrition Program rules open for public comment. When a new regulation, also called a rule, is proposed, there is a specific window of time for public comment. You can comment individually, or with a group. FNS reviews all public comments received. Click on the links below to comment on each of the proposed rules.

1. Simplifying Meal Service and Monitoring Requirements in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.

2. Streamlining Program Requirements and Improving Integrity in the Summer Food Service Program.

FNS Report Finder

Evidence-based analysis and rigorous evaluation are critical tools to promote effective policies and strong management in the federal nutrition assistance programs. To access FNS’ research reports and studies visit FNS Report Finder reports at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/research-analysis

For questions or comments about this newsletter, please email FNSpartnerships@fns.usda.gov

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