March is National Nutrition Month, and people are encouraged to take a closer look at what they are eating to help maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Karen Grush, public health administrator for the DeKalb County Health Department, said an essential element to healthy eating is moderation and balance.

“Pizza is not always bad,” Grush said. “There are a lot of good nutrients in pizza, but if all you eat is pizza, then that is a problem. You have to have balance.”

Judith Lukaszuk, an assistant professor in the department of family, consumer and nutrition sciences, agrees.

“If you eat better, you are improving your life span,” Lukaszuk said. “You will live longer without coming down with the onset of such diseases as heart disease, type two diabetes or cancer. Ultimately you will feel better and have more energy.”

Grush said college students often leave out key nutrients in their diets.

“Most college students eat fast food and things that are easy to eat on the go,” Grush said. “I suspect that it’s easy for college students to lack fruits and vegetables in their meals.”

Although there are no specific events planned for National Nutrition Month, a campaign called “The New American Plate” encourages people to look at what is on their meal plates. The campaign recommends increasing vegetables, fruit, whole grains and beans to cover two-thirds of the plate.

For more information on “The New American Plate,” call the Health Education Division of the DeKalb County Health Department at 758-6673.