MD Anderson Sugar Land kicks off 2013 Healthy Bites nutrition challenge

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center of Sugar Land has announced that the 2013 Healthy Bites cancer prevention nutrition challenge will begin in January, 2013.

The center is challenging all area adults to take up a New Year resolution to eat healthier foods that will reduce cancer risks, according to an MD Anderson press release.

The Healthy Bites nutrition challenge was developed by experts at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

"Eating the right foods and staying at a healthy weight can help reduce a person's chances of cancer," said Mary Ellen Herndon, a wellness dietitian at MD Anderson, in the release. "But, maintaining a healthy diet can be difficult. That's why we created the Healthy Bites program."

The program encourages participants to make small diet challenges by completing one nutrition challenge for each month in 2013.

The 12 challenges urge participants to eat breakfast daily, eat every 5-6 hours during the day, eat more whole grains, use the USDA's nutrition guide, limit red meat consumption, drink more water, avoid processed meat, dine out less, eat more fruit and vegetables, eat plant-based protein, eat less salt and drink less alcohol.

People who join Healthy Bites will have access to MD Anderson nutrition materials, food journals and healthy recipes to complete the program.

MD Anderson Sugar Land is at 1327 Lake Pointe Parkway, Sugar Land.

For more information on joining the challenge, call 713-792-0655 or visit www.mdanderson.org/healthybites.