Moderation Nation: Eat Chocolate, Dance with Nancy O'Dell, Be Healthy!
According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), 70% of consumers don’t do more to achieve a balanced diet because they don’t want to give up their favorite foods and need more practical tips to eat right.
That's why I'm excited that the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition (HCHN) has teamed up with the ADA and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) to launch the Moderation Nation campaign to promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle by achieving moderation with nutrition and physical activity while enjoying chocolate as part of a balanced lifestyle.
I don't know about you, but that sounds a lot better than swearing off my favorite foods!
But learning how to achieve moderation and balance can be more challenging than it sounds. Thankfully, the Moderation Nation campaign provides us with some great tools to make that happen!
One fun thing to try to get your family moving, is the Moderation Nation dance lead by entertainment reporter,
Nancy O'dell. It is estimated that one-third of Americans do not meet the minimum levels of aerobic activity (150 minutes/week).1 However learning this new dance activity based on a South American dance called Batuka, will have you on your way by combining fun moves and great music, for an activity that the entire family will enjoy. Created by multi-Grammy winning writer/producer, Kike Santander, Batuka integrates an effective and fun pre-choreographed routine that helps achieve a balanced lifestyle. People all across the country are encouraged to learn about Moderation Nation and give the new dance activity a try by visiting http://www.themoderationnation.com/.
But the Moderation Nation Campaign doesn't stop there, they are giving consumers access to registered dietitians and personal trainers by hosting more than 1,000 “house calls” in homes across the country. These in-home events will bring friends and family together in an intimate setting for group nutrition consultations from experienced RDs. In addition, these group sessions will also feature a Moderation Nation dance demonstration led by ACE trainers. For more info visit: http://www.themoderationnation.com/
And if you are wanting to get started today, check out a few of my favorite tools on the Moderation Nation website, including:
Moderation Menus: To bring balance to everyday meals, the HCHN has created Moderation Menus. Based on an individual’s lifestyle needs, these seven day menu ideas model how to balance food choices and life’s demands. - Meal Balancer: Since many people focus on their main dish – and not necessarily the sides that round it out – this interactive tool provides a full-meal decision tree that empowers users to build a balanced meal. The Meal Balancer shows people the trade-offs that need to be made to achieve true balance, and provides new side dish ideas and suggestions.
- Food Journal: According to RDs, people who keep food journals are more likely to stay on track with a healthy eating plan. The HCHN has created a free, downloadable food journal and easy-to-follow journaling tips to help consumers get started.
- Moderation Nation™ Facebook page: The Moderation Nation Facebook page offers continuous tips from Moderation Nation spokespeople on balance and moderation, and provides a forum for people to share their views and tips on how they moderate in their own lives. www.facebook.com/ModerationNation.
- Moderation Nation Balance Break Mobile App for iPhone: Daily activity is an important part of the lifestyle balance equation, and a recent survey by e Strategy Group found that 68% of consumers seek advice on how to integrate physical activity into their daily routine . The free Moderation Nation Balance Break Mobile App for iPhone (available through the iTunes App Store) sends reminders to take a short activity break during the day, and can help track how much activity people are actually getting during the week. Adding short “activity snacks” throughout the day can really add up!
I'm excited about this movement that promotes balance and moderation instead of extremes, and I hope you are too! Check out the dance and the tools and let me know what you think and which are your favorites for achieving moderation and balance in your life!
