Louisiana is rated among the highestranking states in cancer incidence and cancer-related death rates across America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While this is discouraging, there is good news — many cancers can be prevented with healthy lifestyle choices.

According to the academy’s website, National Nutrition Month is an opportunity to focus on “consuming fewer calories, making informed food choices and getting daily exercise in order to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease and promote overall health.