SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― It’s National Nutrition Month and the beginning of spring − two great reasons to return to the basics of healthful eating.

According to Lori Miller, RD, CDE, director of Food and Nutrition Services at Regional West, good nutrition is the key to good health − both physical and mental.

“As nutritionists, we advise everyone to eat a combination of foods from different food groups in order to get the right amount of nutrients to stay healthy,” said Miller.

A healthy diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and low fat or non-fat dairy. Nutrients from these food groups are vital for human growth, development, and function. A diet that includes a variety of foods from all food groups will provide the nutrients that are essential for good health.

“The simplest way to improve your diet to get the nutrients you need is to replace packaged and processed food with fresh, natural foods whenever possible,” said Miller. “To be successful in improving your diet, you may want to start out by making small changes in the way you eat.”

One way to do that is to add a fresh salad to your diet once a day. Or to replace one sweet treat with fresh fruit. Once these changes become a habit, it will be easier to make more changes.

Good nutrition doesn’t require a lot of effort or sacrificing your favorite foods. To build a healthier diet, be sure to think in terms of color, variety, and freshness when planning your meals.

For more information about healthy eating and National Nutrition Month, visit choosemyplate.gov.

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 188-bed regional referral center and one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the state. As the region’s only tertiary referral medical center, Regional West offers care that spans more than 32 medical specialties provided by over 28 physician clinics. With nearly 300 providers, and over 2,000 employees, Regional West provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.