Each year, the American Dietetic Association celebrates National Nutrition Month®. This year's theme, 100% Fad Free, aims to encourage lifelong healthy eating practices, rather than jumping on the next diet trend. This year's key messages include:

* Develop an eating plan for lifelong health. Too often people adopt the latest food fad rather than focusing on overall health. Get back to basics and use the Dietary Guidelines 2005 and MyPyramid as your guide to healthy eating.

* Choose foods sensibly by looking at the big picture. A single food or meal doesn’t make or break a healthful diet. When consumed in moderation in the appropriate portion size, all foods can fit into a healthful diet.

* Learn how to spot a food fad. Unreasonable or exaggerated claims that eating (or not eating) specific foods, nutrient supplements or combinations of foods may cure disease or offer quick weight loss are key features of fad diets.

* Find your balance between food and physical activity. Regular physical activity is important for your overall health and fitness plus it helps control body weight, promotes a feeling of well-being and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.

* Food and nutrition misinformation can have harmful effects on your health and well-being, as well as your wallet. Registered dietitians are uniquely qualified to communicate current and emerging science-based nutrition information and are an instrumental part of developing a diet plan that is unique to your particular needs.

For more information regarding National Nutrition Month®, including tasty healthy recipes, go to www.eatright.org.

Ann Stahlheber, MS, RD, LD, CSN, is a registered dietitian specializing in preventive health, wellness, and sport's nutrition find out more at: http://nutrainer.googlepages.com