Do you aimlessly wander up and down the aisles of the grocery store or stare blankly into the fridge when you want something to eat? Don’t worry – you’re not alone.
Less than 10% of adults and adolescents in the U.S. eat enough fruits and vegetables, according to the CDC. Eating healthy and sticking to a decent eating schedule can be hard. Work, school and life in general can get in the way of maintaining a good diet.
However, March is National Nutrition Month®; A.K.A. the perfect time to pay attention to your eating habits and learn about the food choices you could make for optimal health.
The Story Behind National Nutrition Month®
National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign held in March to encourage people to learn how to make informed food choices and develop healthy eating and physical activity habits, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
This year, the theme is “Beyond the Table.” This encompasses “the farm-to-fork aspect of nutrition,” which includes “food production and distribution” and “navigating grocery stores and farmers markets — and even home food safety and storage practices,” according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It also includes the different ways we eat, such as on the go, at the dinner table and more. Lastly, the “theme also includes sustainability, for instance, decreasing food waste from school and work to home and beyond.”
This campaign was created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Established in 1917, the Academy is the world’s largest organization of nutrition and dietetics practitioners. This organization represents over 112,000 credentialed practitioners, from registered dietitian nutritionists to students studying nutrition and dietetics. Through research, education and advocacy, it aims to improve health and advance the profession of nutrition and dietetics.
How You Can Participate
The Academy has weekly messaging to help people participate in the campaign and reach their nutrition goals.
During the first week, the goal is to stay nourished with any budget. Participants are encouraged to learn cooking and meal prepping skills, shop smart and use a grocery list, explore community food resources like local food banks and practice food safety at home.
Week two’s goal is to see a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). Participants should ask their doctor for an RDN referral, find an RDN who specializes in their unique needs and receive personalized nutrition information to help them meet their health goals.
Week three is all about eating a variety of foods from all food groups. Enjoy your favorite cultural foods and traditions, try out recipes that use different ingredients than usual, taste new foods and explore cuisines from around the world.
The final week is dedicated to eating with the environment in mind. To end National Nutrition Month® with a bang, participants should get creative with leftovers to reduce food waste, buy foods from local farmers and start their own at-home garden to grow their food or participate in a community garden.
Staying Healthy And Happy Year-Round
After National Nutrition Month® comes to a close, keep implementing the things you learned into your daily routine. This will keep you healthy and happy year-round.
However, don’t be afraid to indulge once in a while! Finding a balance between eating healthy, nutritious foods and mouth-watering, less-nutritious foods is important. There’s nothing wrong with having a slice of cake or a bag of chips sometimes.
Have fun during National Nutrition Month® – healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring.
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