Approximately three in five consumers said diet, nutrition and physical activity are "very important"
67 percent said diet and nutrition are important
61 percent said exercise and physical activity are important
Women were more likely than men to say both are very important
More Women identify diet and nutrition as important than men, 73 percent to 55 percent
Younger adults were less likely than older people to consider diet and nutrition "very important"
People with a college education and beyond were more likely to say diet and nutrition are very important than people with a high school degree or less

-Source: American Dietetic Association

Nutrition is about a lot more than just good eats. It's about your health. Eating right can keep you from becoming overweight, put you in a good mood, boost athletic performance, and perhaps most importantly, help you live a longer, more productive life. It can even help you sleep better, make stronger bones, help fend off illness and through all those benefits, and help kids perform better in school. “I think people don’t realize that nutrition is the absolute fuel for the body,” said Pam Robinson, a registered dietician in Nashville who works with both general nutrition and children at second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and member of the Nashville District Dietetic Association. “We’re looking at children, we’re looking at behavior, we’re looking at performance in schools.” Good nutrition, she adds, could make a difference for athletes in school looking for that edge to get a scholarship. Education is key, says Robinson, and everyone can play role. That includes schools, families, marketers, the food industry, grocery stores, the media.

Families
It’s not easy, and it takes planning and collaboration, but as with many things, healthy eating starts at home.
Here are some tips from the American Dietetic Association for National Nutrition Month, with its campaign to “Eat Right.”
   1. Be a good food role model. Telling children to eat nutritious foods is one thing — showing them is better. If you offer nutritious foods regularly — and if they see you eating them — your children likely will learn to like them.
   2. Serve a variety of fruits and vegetables daily. In addition to bananas and apples, try something new like kiwi or papaya. Add vegetables to stir fries or casseroles.
   3. Schedule a snack time and stick to it. Space snacks at least two to three hours before a meal.
   4. Involve kids in meal planning and preparation. Children often will eat foods they help plan and prepare. At the same time, your child can learn how to handle and prepare foods in a safe, healthful way.
   5. Keep less-healthful foods on a higher shelf where they won’t be noticed as much.
   6. Eat as a family. If possible eat together at least once a day. If it’s breakfast, set the table the night before for less effort in the morning.
   7. Don’t eat in front of the TV. Have your family eat around a table, not side by side at the counter.
   8. Encourage your family to try new foods. Trying new foods expands your food knowledge, experience and skills. Kids will like some, but not all of these foods. That’s OK.
   9. Let kids stop eating when they say they’re full. Encourage your child to eat slowly and pay attention to feeling full. By learning hunger and fullness cues, your child will learn to eat enough, but not overeat.
10. Enjoy your food. Avoid fussing, nagging, arguing or complaining at the table. A stress-free meal that is neither rushed nor prolonged promotes family bonding and helps everyone enjoy what they’re eating.

“We make recipes that are hands on that are healthier, but still taste good,” Robinson says.
In effect, cooking at home and cooking healthy can become a lesson when you explain the reasons behind the meal, she said.
“We try to give them a picture about why they need to make healthier choices,” she said. “Kids think that food just comes from Macdonald’s and from Krogers.”

Schools
The School Nutrition Association says that school lunches are getting healthier, but parents can still play a key role even here.
The association suggests that parents introduce themselves to the school food service director, even invite them and others of the school’s food team to a PTA meeting to discuss how parents can help and to get more information.
“Remember that you share common goals,” the association says. “To insure that students are well-nourished and learn healthy habits so they can achieve at school and at life.”

As a parent, the association adds, you are a partner with the school. Learn what vending machines are at the schools, what is available for snacks, set guidelines for how much your child can spend, review the cafeteria menu, try having lunch with your child at the cafeteria. “See for yourself how school food looks, smell and tastes,” the association urges.

Small steps
Robinson says there has been some improvement, and campaigns like “Eat Right,” help. People are paying attention. For instance, a recent ADA survey says that 67 percent of respondents are aware of the importance of diet and nutrition.
But there is still a long way to go before good eating becomes the norm.

“I think it’s all about education,” she said. For instance, in March the national American Dietetic Association president spoke to congress about childhood obesity. “It wasn’t too long ago that the surgeon general said this will be the first generation that will outlive their children, but we are making strides to get better,” Robinson said. “People want the quick fix, but it’s really just getting back to basics.”

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