The American Dietetic Association / Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Wikipedia says for over nearly 100 years the organization known as the American Dietetic Association (ADA) officially changed its name to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (A.N.D.) in 2012. In 1973 National Nutrition Month and National Nutrition week were both established.  The organization's members are primarily registered dietitians (RDs) and dietetic technicians as well as many researchers, educators, students, nurses, physicians, pharmacists, clinical and community dietetics professionals, consultants and food service managers. Through its research journal, the Academy shapes and influences the public and legislative discussion about health, food safety and nutrition.




Here's what the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has to say:

Wikipedia goes on to say as an organization and research institute, the Academy holds a variety of influential health positions, including:

• the only way to lose weight is through a healthy, well-balanced diet and exercise

• there are no good or bad foods, only good and bad diets

• exclusive breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition and health protection for the first 6 months of life and breastfeeding with complementary foods from 6 months until 12 months of age is the ideal feeding pattern for infants

•  up to 2 servings of soy per day for adults could be part of a healthy diet

• a well planned vegan diet, (no meat, dairy or animal products) is appropriate and healthy for babies

• to combat the obesity epidemic, adults and children need access to healthy foods, education on eating well, and preventative health services, including healthy eating counseling (health coach)

So do you know what you are eating, when and how much? Studies show if you just write down what you eat and nothing else, you will make healthier choices resulting in weight loss. Why do you think that is? It's because you now are aware or know what your poor food choices are as you make them. Once you know what you are choosing, you will make healthier choices.

Why is this? Because eating for the most part is a habit. Habits tend to be the things we do that are considered automatic. Like walking. We don't think about how to walk, our body just knows what to do. Doesn't it? So are your food choices. No? You pick the same foods to eat each week or month on some sort of rotating schedule depending on ease of access, taste preferences and feelings. Studies show no matter how big your city is you pretty much frequent the same 7 restaurants. Why? Because of habits.

You develop behavior habits with practice and repetition. In other words, repetition of behaviors leads to a habit. To break an undesirable habit you can replace it with a new habit which will also require practice and repetition. All habits, good and bad take time to develop.To change your eating behaviors you will need to replace the undesirable habits (poor food choices) with new desirable habits (healthy options).

The first step is AWARENESS of your poor eating choices and the second step is the EDUCATION to learn new healthier behaviors. In the article  Are You Aware of Your Habits,  Abbe Breiter points out "there are many factors and issues contributing to your eating, the more that you become aware of and manage, the easier it will become to control your eating". To help you get started on changing habits click here

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