March is National Nutrition Month, which is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. I would like to discuss the importance of making informed food choices by developing sound eating habits. Texas has helped promote good nutrition for our citizens.
Since Texas has a diverse geography, this means that bountiful amounts of naturally grown foods, which are delicious and wholesome, can be found throughout our state. Our farmers grow nutritious vegetables and fruits in our well-kept Texas soils, which allow these crops to have healthy amounts of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that our bodies need to function properly. Specific foods rich in these nutrients are broccoli, blueberries, spinach, cauliflower, tomatoes, peaches, squash, onions, tree nuts (pecans, almonds, etc.), oranges, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and many more.
However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition and health, but there are some major ingredients and processed foods to avoid. The most prominent food to steer clear of is added sugar. Foods with added sugar are often highly caloric and have harmful effects on our organs. Additionally, foods with high fructose corn syrup and other artificial sweeteners have been linked to severe health problems like obesity, cardiovascular (heart) disease, and type two diabetes. However, these sweeteners can be replaced with products such as raw honey or stevia, which are better alternatives to use in baking or iced/hot tea and coffee.
Another food group to be cautious with is artificial trans fats, also known as partially hydrogenated oils. Trans fats have been linked with raising bad cholesterol and lowering good cholesterol. This can lead to health risks such as high blood pressure, which can cause poor blood circulation in our bodies. The regular consumption of trans fats has also been shown to lead to diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and obesity.
You can visit the Texas Department of Agriculture to learn more about all the wonderful, whole foods our state has to offer. For even more information visit the National Nutrition Month and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. My offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns, or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Aransas County and Nueces County (Part). He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672.
