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Favorite foods can be eaten in moderation by Kate Seymour Dietetic Intern March is National Nutrition Month and this year’s campaign strives to reinforce the importance of nutrition as a key component of good health along with physical activity.  An important element to adopting a healthy lifestyle is cutting back on the amount of unhealthy food in a person’s diet. Many people think that their favorite foods must be given up completely. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize that completely giving up a favorite food is setting themselves up for failure. Here’s the key to success: Look at the bigger picture; choose foods based on what you have had in a week rather than just one day.  By allowing yourself to enjoy your favorite foods every now and then (in moderation), you won’t be tempted to eat in excess when faced with them.  It is easy to say that you can eat any food as long as it is in moderation, but many people fear that they lack the will power to stop at a reasonable portion. This is where goals and incentives come in. Set obtainable goals. For example: “I will allow myself to have one serving of ice cream a week,” not “I will allow myself one serving of ice cream a year.” If unobtainable goals are set, failure often lurks around the corner. Stick to your goals; if a goal is broken one time, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be given a second chance.  Another great tactic to remind yourself to only have your favorite foods in moderation is by using incentives. Incentives are basically rewards that we give to ourselves for good behavior. Incentives can range anywhere from getting your nails done, getting a massage, or going golfing. Set an incentive as something that you really want. It will only make you work harder towards achieving that goal. Adopting a healthy lifestyle does not mean giving up all of the foods that you have always loved. A healthy lifestyle may be a change from the current lifestyle you are living, but with the right motivation, anything is achievable. By setting obtainable goals and enticing incentives, a healthy lifestyle will be in your near future.  So go ahead and have that brownie, but remember, moderation really is the key to life. For more information on National Nutrition Month, visit its Web site at http://www.eatright.org.   Friday, March 11, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.