March is National Nutrition Month, and it’s only fitting that this coincides with the release of the fifth edition of The Food Counter’s Pocket Companion by Jane Stephenson and Rebecca Lindberg. This small book is meant to be a reference guide across all diets, to help you make healthy food choices at home or on the go. You will be able to check the 12 essential nutrient values of over 4,500 foods, 100 brands, and 30 popular restaurant chains. The more you are aware of what is in the foods and beverages you choose to eat, the better choices you can make for your overall well-being—no matter what type of eating pattern you follow.
You can also use this guide to personalize your own nutrition goals! There are three key aspects everyone should take into consideration:
- Estimate your calorie needs. Your calorie needs vary based on age, sex, body size, genetics, and activity level. You can use online calculators such as the Mifflin-St. Jeor or National Institutes of Health Body Weight Planner to calculate your personal needs.
- Determine your nutrient needs. Your personal needs depend on the type of eating pattern you follow as well as your health history, goals, and activity level.
- Eat and drink to improve health and prevent disease. This includes increasing fiber, cutting down on sugar, choosing good fats, reducing sodium, eating more fruits and veggies, and picking healthy drinks
Keep this pocket companion in your purse, pocket, desk drawer, or glove compartment and pull it out whenever and wherever you need it. It’s not a guide to restricting food or strictly counting calories—it’s a tool for learning how to incorporate healthier food choices into whatever eating plan you follow, enjoy what you eat, nourish your body, and feel great.
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The Food Counter’s Pocket Companion Fifth Edition (The Experiment, March 2022)
theexperimentpublishing.com
