Lions learn about nutrition

PATRICIA ALFORD The Kilgore Lions Club met on Thursday and the theme was to get a little leaner.

Patricia Alford, nursing instructor at Kilgore College talked to the Lions about dieting and the need for proper nutrition.

Alford said the average person should have a daily diet of approximately 3500 calories. "This can vary of course from person to person," said Alford.

Dieting is not just about not eating, it is about eating properly said Alford. "A good diet consists of eating the proper food, portion control and of course exercise," said Alford.

Alford said utilizing the food pyramid is a good way to see what foods to eat and in what quantities. "Go to My Pyramid.gov for full details on the pyramid, "said Alford.

A person has to balance the consumed calories with the calories expended said Alford. "Food groups that should be encouraged are a variety of fruits and vegetables, grains consumed from whole grains and sources such as fish, nuts and vegetable oils," said Alford.

Fat intake should be between 20 percent and 35 percent of calories and only 10 percent should be saturated fats said Alford. "Physical activity is a must to maintain good health, manage body weight and prevent weight gain," said Alford.

Alford said there are a lot of factors that go into dieting and of course the persons family history also plays a role in physical problems they might have. "Don't starve yourself in a diet, eat several times a day, just smaller portions and you will maintain your weight or lose weight depending on the calorie intake and amount of physical exercise you do," said Alford.