Nutrition Tid-Bits

MAY Make sure you are getting enough physical activity to keep your body and mind healthy. Do things such as taking the stairs as much as possible, stretching regularly and, now that the weather is warming up, activities such as walking gardening!

JUNE Rinse your fresh fruits and vegetables under cool, running water and rub with your hands to remove dirt and bacteria before preparing them. Wipe them dry with a paper towel or a clean cloth towel.

JULY Drink at least 6-8, 8 ounce cups of fluids per day to prevent dehydration and stay cool during these hot, summer months! Fluids may be water as well as milk, fruit and vegetable juice, Jell-o and decaffeinated drinks.

AUGUST Make sure you store perishable foods such as dairy, eggs, meats, fruits and vegetables, and leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer to prevent food poisoning. Bacteria to unsafe levels on food left at room temperature for up to 2 hours, and up to 1 hour in the hot summer months!

SEPTEMBER- September is whole grains month! Breads, cereals, rice, and pasta are grains. Make sure that half of the grains you eat per day are whole grains such as brown rice and 100% whole wheat breads and pastas.

OCTOBER Did you know chocolate can be healthy? Dark chocolate has vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and can be a part of a healthy diet when enjoyed in moderation, such as 1 oz per day about the size of two dice.

NOVEMBER Have leftovers? Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or seal them in containers to keep bacteria out and store them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 3-4 months.

DECEMBER The first week in December is Hand washing Awareness month! Before preparing and eating food, scrub your hands with clean, warm water and soap for 20 seconds about the time it takes to hum the Happy Birthday song!

Resources: 1. NIHSeniorHealth: Exercise: Benefits of Exercise - Health Benefits. Available at: http://nihseniorhealth.gov/exerciseforolderadults/healthbenefits/01.html. Accessed March 25, 2014. 2. Guide to Washing Fresh Produce. Available at: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09380.html. Accessed March 25, 2014. 3. UNCE Site Search. Available at: http://www.unce.unr.edu/search/search.asp?zoom_query=seniors+fluids&zoom_ per_page=10&zoom_cat%5B%5D=-1&zoom_and=1&zoom_sort=0. Accessed March 25, 2014 4. www.foodsafety.gov. Dangerous Food Safety Mistakes. Available at: http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/basics/mistakes/. Accessed March 25, 2014. 5. Celebrate Whole Grains Month in September | The Whole Grains Council. Available at: http://wholegrainscouncil.org/get-involved/celebrate-whole-grainsmonth-in-september. Accessed March 25, 2014. 6. UMIM: Healing Foods Pyramid - Accompaniments: Dark Chocolate | University of Michigan Health System. Available at: http://www.med.umich.edu/umim/foodpyramid/dark_chocolate.htm. Accessed March 25, 2014. 7. Foodsafety.gov. Storage Times for the Refrigerator and Freezer. Available at: http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/storagetimes.html. Accessed March 20, 2014. 8. Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives | CDC. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/. Accessed March 25, 2014.