Scale Back Alabama

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Here are a few items and programs to help maintain healthy eating habits and exercise. Visit their sites to learn more!

USDA: Center for Nutrition Policy & Promotion - The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) was created within the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Dec. 1, 1994, and reports to the Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. CNPP's mission is to improve the health of Americans by developing and promoting dietary guidance that links scientific research to the nutritional needs of consumers. The CNPP also provides MyPyramid.gov, an online library of information about the different food groups.

Alabama State Parks - The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources provides a plethora of activities and venues at it's 23 state parks spread across the state of Alabama. Parks offer ideal places to stay, such as resorts, hotels, cabins, cottages and camp sites, and fun places to play, such as hiking, biking, golf, fishing, paddling, swimming, birding and wildlife viewing. Click on "Find a Park" for a list park locations and amenities.

My Food-a-pedia - MyFoodapedia.com is also provided by the CNPP. The site provides a quick and easy way to find out information on a specific food (i.e., calories, food group, etc.). You can also compare the nutritional values of two different foods.

EatAtHomeAlabama.com - This Web site was created by the Alabama Grocers Association as a tool for consumers to learn how to save money, eat healthier, safely prepare and store foods, discover the joys and benefits of eating at home, and to promote the grocery industry in the state of Alabama. EatAtHomeAlabama.com features reasons to eat at home, ways to save money, how to effectively use coupons, recipes to feed a family of four for $20, a list of Alabama products, recall information, a "Living Healthier" section and food safety tips on storing fruits and vegetables. Each month, a new sponsor is revealed as well new recipes.

Fresh Air Family - Founded in 2006, Fresh Air Family has grown to offer more than 200 outdoor activities to an outreach of more than 10,000 people. Programs include: hiking, camping, canoeing, birding, star gazing, fossil hunting, orienteering, caving and searching for creatures great and small.
Great nutrition tips for people with diabetes - The American Diabetic Association offers tips on making healthy food choices, information on using the glycemic index, and much more.

A New Leaf... Choices for Healthy Living - The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Office of Women’s Health (OWH) has partnered with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System – Auburn , the ADPH Office of Minority Health and the Nutrition & Physical Activity Division to provide a structured nutrition and physical activity and assessment program for women ages 18 – 64 throughout Alabama . The goals of this program include increasing weight loss and promoting healthy lifestyles among the group participants. New Leaf targets women recognizing that women are the primary caregivers for their families. Women impact food choices, food preparation, and physical activity and are effective in incorporating these into their family’s lifestyle. New Leaf program implementation is available in each of the 67 counties of Alabama.The program is structured to provide ongoing weight loss support through local support groups and trained group leaders.

For more information, contact Jessica Hardy at the Office of Women’s Health by phone at (334) 206-5226 or via email.

BeHealthy.com - This is a Web site sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield for its customers, as well as for the general public. It provides information on a number of key health topics, including diet and exercise. Also, Blue Cross offers tips for walking at www.walkingworks.com.

The Alabama Farmers Market Authority - This site has a Web-based program that provides information on purchasing local, fresh produce. By clicking on a specific county on the Alabama map, details about the markets that county offers is available. The site also provides recipes, a list of produce available per month, and nutrition program information.

Barber Dairies - This Web site offers recipes, fun activity sheets for children, and nutrition information on the importance of milk consumption.

Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries - This web site provides information on food safety issues, a guide to u-pick operations and agricultural tourism opportunities throughout the state for seasonal produce, and fun fact sheet for children in addition to Alabama product highlights.

DailyPlate.com - This Web site offers a number of interactive tools, including a calorie calculator, food journal and fitness log. It also allows you to track your diet and exercise goals and to search through recipes submitted by fellow dieters.

WELCOA - The Wellness Councils of America is a nonprofit organization that helps businesses to implement employee wellness programs. While there is a fee for companies that join, the organization's Web site features a number of free resources that can be useful in implementing an employee wellness program. For more information, visit www.welcoa.org.

Physical Activity in Alabama - This pamphlet from the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Governor's Commission on Physical Fitness gives information on how a lack of physical activity can adversely affect your health and how exercise can increase your chances of avoiding serious health problems.

Tips for a Healthy Plate & a Healthy Weight - The Nutrition and Physical Activity Unit of the Alabama Department of Public Health offers this brochure, which contains tips on how to eat healthier.

Start! - The American Heart Association’s new health program designed to increase physical activity and maintain a healthy diet.

It’s free to join. Go online and sign up for Start! You will receive access to a personal online fitness tracker, called MyStart! Online, along with monthly tips and expert advice on fitness and nutrition. For additional information please call your local American Heart Association office.

Search Your Heart - An American Heart Association program that aims to address the disparity between the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke among African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos.

To find out how you can join or start Search Your Heart in your community, contact your nearest American Heart Association office.

Fruits and Veggies More Matters - This web site calculates how many fruits and vegetables you need, provides recipes, and other interactive tools to help you eat more fruits and vegetables for a healthy meal pattern.

ShapeUp.org - This web site offers healthy eating tips, along with exercise advice.

Face the Fats - An educational campaign sponsored by the American Heart Association to teach Americans how to minimize trans fat in their diet and eat less foods loaded with saturated fat. The Bad Fats Brothers, known as "heart breakers," give you a new way to look at and remember which fats are bad, why they're bad and where they can be found.

The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity - Published by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, this contains various fact sheets on obesity, along with other valuable resources.

Sponsored by: ADPH, ALAHA, Barber's Dairy, and BCBSAL