Another new year and another resolution to lose weight. But forget all those fad diets that haven’t worked in the past and think about changing your lifestyle.

“Healthful eating is key to looking good, feeling great and being your best all year long,” said Iberia Parish extension agent Ada Palermo with the LSU AgCenter.

“Many people become absorbed with thinking about dieting and their weight around the holidays or about the time they start making New Year’s resolutions," Palermo said. "But following a lifestyle that involves healthy eating all year long really is the important part."

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Information from the American Heart Association web site, www.americanheart.org is easy to obtain and outlines the many health benefits to choosing the right lifestyle. The New Iberia contact at the Lafayette chapter of the American Heart Association is Kallie Barras and she can be reached at (337) 521 8604 or e-mailed at kallie.barras@heart.org.

Making the decision to live healthy puts you in control. The American Heart Association advises a three-pronged approach to wellness —  fitness, nutrition and partnering with your doctor.

"Foods provide the essential nutrients and other compounds the body needs for good health," Palermo said. "The problem with most of the fad diets is that they do not provide lasting results. Instead of focusing on weight loss, the key is to concentrate on eating healthfully and exercising regularly," she said.

"Match your food choices to your lifestyle and individual requirements, choosing enough to achieve and maintain a healthy weight," she explained.

Palermo advised planning meals and snacks using a variety of foods from the various food groups — making sure to include grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy and meat and beans.

"Make healthy choices, such as lean meat, low-fat or non-fat dairy products, whole grains and plenty of fruits and vegetables," she said. "And choose a variety of foods from each group based on flavor, texture and colors to make it more interesting."

It’s also important to look at the big picture.

"It is what you eat over several days — not just one meal or one day — that counts," Palermo said. "You can enjoy all your favorite foods, just eat them in moderate amounts."

To find information about the amounts of foods you need, go to www.MyPyramid.gov.

 "It is important to balance your food choices with your physical activities to achieve and maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle," Palermo said, adding that you should be sure to enjoy a variety of ways to stay active to feel your best.

The federal Dietary Guidelines recommend at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day to reduce disease risk and 60 minutes a day to prevent weight gain. For sustaining weight loss, at least 60 minutes to 90 minutes a day of physical activity may be required.

 For additional information about eating healthfully using MyPyramid or other aspects of achieving a healthy lifestyle, contact an agent in your parish’s LSU AgCenter Extension office and the local chapter of the American Heart Association.