Adult Nutrition Programs

Adult Nutrition Programs
Photo Credit nutrition image by razorconcept from Fotolia.com

Not only do kids need to be educated about good nutrition, but adults do too. Whether you are looking for a nutritional program to get your diet on track, or you're in need of information about federal adult nutrition programs, resources are available that can assist you on your road to good health and wellness.

CACFP

The Child and Adult Care Food Program, or CACFP, is a government program created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The CACFP educates and feeds children and adults of low-income families as well as people in adult daycare facilities and elderly homes. The CACFP program offers nutritious meals for those who need it. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service website provides plenty of nutrition information about eating right and living healthy. The CACFP meal plan for adults consists of two meals plus a snack each day, according to the National Food Service Management Institute of the University of Mississippi. The CACFP also educates caregivers about proper nutrition and how to spot possible signs of malnutrition. The CACFP focuses on providing ample amounts of vitamins and minerals, fiber, protein, carbohydrates and healthful fats while limiting sodium intake.

MyPyramid Nutritional Guidelines

The USDA's MyPyramid website provides a free online service that adults can use to determine how many calories and what types of foods they should consume every day. This nutrition program offers information about how to eat healthfully and improve your overall wellness. MyPyramid bases each customized diet plan on a variety of factors, including age, gender, height, weight and daily physical activity levels. From this information, MyPyramid determines a healthful diet plan for you. The food choices recommended by MyPyramid are the same ones outlined in the USDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans, so they are all nutritious choices that can help you get on the right track when it comes to a healthful diet.

Eat Smart, Live Strong Kit

The USDA designed the Eat Smart, Live Strong Kit to help educate older adults about proper nutrition. This nutrition program is available online at the USDA website, and it includes a leader's guide and four comprehensive lessons intended to teach adults how to live healthy. The Eat Smart, Live Strong nutrition program focuses on two key aspects of living healthy: increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, and daily exercise. Specifically, adults should consume about 3 1/2 cups of fruits and vegetables a day and should participate in at least 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise most days of the week.

References

Article reviewed by AudraA Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

Must see: Photo Galleries

Member Comments