March is National Nutrition Month and I am sure most of you, just like me, either didn’t know or now that you know, will wait till next March to make a change. Right! Wrong!

I gave this some serious thinking and came to the conclusion, if I want to look good, I have to feel and eat good. The time is now to look at reflect on your eating habits and set some goals for long term and sustainable changes WOW, my mom’s words just came out of my mouth lol

No, for real, did you know, most of us youth don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables and we always overload on sugar and saturated fats. Hummm, people say eating is a science and if done right your body will thank you, So, let’s start getting some thanks you’s from our body!

For the record, I am not a nutrition and I do not eat all that healthy. I grab whatever they have at the cafeteria, I usually miss breakfast because I am late for my bus and the worst lol, I love sitting and snacking while watching TV or playing some games.

Recently, I noticed my jeans are getting tight, my waistline is starting to grow a tire tube and I am not feeling comfortable about the way my body is fighting me… I am done with treating my body like a garbage can. Yes, just like when my mom sticks a fork in her meat and then says it’s done, That’s me today! Stick a fork in me I’m done!

I hope before I reach seventeen, I have a better eating habit, healthier body and can set a good example for my friends and family. Who am I kidding I also don’t want to stress about fitting into my prom dress next year.

Put Your Best Fork Forward by EVERSC
Reversing well-entrenched habits isn’t always easy but the benefits are well worth the effort. Improved energy, better school, sports and work performance, and less chronic disease are just a few reasons to focus on nutrient-dense food choices. Below are some simple steps to get you started.

Pick One Thing
Don’t try to overcome every bad eating habit at once. Your habits took years to build so don’t expect an overnight overhaul. In fact, by approaching change in a steady, step-wise manner, your new routines and habits are more likely to stick.

Set a goal
Once you have identified problem areas, set small goals for improvement.  In my work with kids and teens, I use the following S.N.A.C.K. system for setting goals.

S = Small
Is this goal small enough so that I can meet it in a short period of time?

N = Needed
Is this a change that I need to make for better health?

A = Achievable
Can I achieve this goal? Will I need the help of others to meet this goal? Is it a goal that I can really accomplish?

C = Can I Count it?
Is this goal written in a way that I can count and measure my progress?

K = Know-How
Do I know enough to succeed at meeting this goal? Where would I find more information on this topic?

Below are some S.N.A.C.K. goals for you to try.

• Try at least two new fruits this week.
• Eat breakfast before school every day this week.
• Choose an after-school snack that has at least two of the major food groups.
• When you are thirsty, drink water instead of sweetened drinks at least 5 times this week.
• Order a side of apple slices, raisins, carrots, or salad instead of French fries at least once this week.
• Drink or eat three servings of dairy foods (1% milk, low-fat yogurt, cheese, or fortified soy beverage) every day.
• Eat one more serving of whole grain each day. (read labels to find out which foods have a whole grain listed first in the ingredient list).
• Eat at least one cup of green vegetables every day this week.
• Visit the grocery store and identify at least two new fruits or vegetables to try this week.

Find more great reads from EVERSC