Happy National Nutrition Month! + Giveaway

Congratulations to our Giveaway Winner
Kerry Arguijo

tomato_basil_garlic
Tomato Basic and Garlic Chicken

March is one of my most favorite months of the year because I get to celebrate two things: the birthdays of some very special people in my life, and one of my passions?nutrition! And since I am so passionate about nutrition, I?ve got some pretty cool stuff planned for this blog this month! It?s all a bit hush-hush, so you?ll have to check back often to see what?s going on, but I will tell you one thing: There will be a weekly giveaway! :-)? You in? Awesome! Let?s go!

Good nutrition is so important! When you fuel your body with nutrient-rich foods, you?ll feel great (both physically and mentally), accomplish more, and have an all-round healthier body. The reverse is also true?if junky, low nutritional value foods are your fuel of choice, you?ll feel lousy, get less done, and have health issues.

In order to be healthy, our bodies need the right combination of what I like to call the Fabulous Four: protein, carbs, healthy fats, and water. Here?s why they?re the foundation of good nutrition:

  • Protein builds and maintains muscle, bone, skin, hair, and pretty much every other body part and tissue in your body. It?s so important for weight loss because muscle burns calories like an inferno, so the more muscle, the more calories burned! Protein also breaks down more slowly than carbs and fat, which burns even more calories and helps you feel fuller longer.
  • Carbs are the preferred fuel source for your muscles and organs. They come in healthy versions (vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes), and not-so-healthy versions (cakes, cookies, soda, doughnuts, candy, and many processed foods). Healthy carbs are also crucial for burning calories, and since they break down more slowly than the not-so-healthy kind, they keep your blood sugar and energy levels steady, and your calorie burning furnace hot so it burns more calories!
  • Healthy fats (unsaturated fats) eaten in moderation help the development and function of your eyes and brain and help prevent heart disease, stroke, depression, and arthritis. They also help keep your energy levels steady and keep you from feeling hungry.
  • Water is an important ingredient in regulating your bodily functions (digestion, circulation, temperature, and many others), as well as keeping muscle fatigue at bay and for healthy skin. And an adequate water intake is imperative for losing weight! We recommend drinking half your body weight in ounces of water (150 lbs = 75 ounces, for example) every single day.

And since I want to help you have the best National Nutrition Month ever, here are some ideas to help you get started with your own celebration:

What are you going to do to celebrate National Nutrition Month? Leave your ideas in the comments below and you could win a signed copy of Chris? book, Choose More, Lose More for Life!

?This giveaway is now over. A winner was chosen randomly and announced on Friday, March 7, 2014.

Let the celebration begin! 🙂

306 Responses

  1. For national Nutrition Month, I am going to start meal planning. That has been the hardest for me. I am a Nurse, starting to become a fitness instructor, mother of 3 (8,7,5). I do not like cooking, thankfully my hubby does! However, it is almost mean to have him cook everyday. I like to come up with the ideas, but I am very spontaneous. I like to eat what I feel at the moment. So planning a week in advance, although great as time management and cost savings, I never stuck to the plan. Hopefully this month, while hubby is out of country for work, I can development this new habit!

  2. Today is my first day on the classic Carb Cycling program. I’ve already made out my meal plan for the week and completed my grocery shopping for the first half of the week. Today was also my first day back at working out after dealing with a pulled quad and broken wrist.I’m beyond excited to see my progress going forward. 🙂

  3. I’ve always been the type of person who goes hours and hours without eating and then just eats the wrong things. I also loved to snack. It’s been two weeks since I’ve started the carb cycling program and one of the things that’s helps SO MUCH is making kale chips. They 100% satisfy the chip/snack urge. So I’m going to make a big batch and store it in individual baggies and start to plan out my meals for the week on paper and not just in my head. Thanks for all the tips.
    ps: I wish you guys would come out with a carb cycle cook book since the nutrition side is the most challenging for me.

  4. I plan to go to my cardio boxing class more and to watch my unhealthy carb intake. Although I don’t like desserts, I do love breads and chips! This doesn’t seem impossible to accomplish!

  5. I am really trying to cut out all the processed stuff and be at least 85% Vegan with my food choices. I am hoping I can help my husband eat a little better in my journey.

  6. A rule in our house is you always have to try a bite. If you don’t like it, you can make a peanut butter sandwich. We have to all eat a fruit and veggie before a small snack before bedtime.

  7. I am going to try a new fruit or veggie or one I haven’t ate in a long time, try a new recipe each week, add more fruits and veggies, practice portion control, have healthy snacks available too.

  8. I have struggled with finding the right “plan” for my body. As many of you know working, kids and activities can cause a rift in your healthy regimen. I try to plan ahead and keep quick an easy yet healthy meals readily available. I am that mom that won’t let my kids buy junk or eat fast food so I am always up for great recipes. Always looking forward to your post and am forever greatfull!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

CHOOSE A DATE: