March is National Nutrition Month. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics created this campaign to draw attention to nutrition education and focus on the importance of making good food choices. This year’s theme is “Put Your Best Fork Forward.” It serves as a reminder that you hold the tools to shift to a healthier eating pattern.
Now is a great time to focus on your nutritional health, as this month gives you an opportunity to really think more about the foods you’re eating. There are many things you can do to eat healthier, but we narrowed it down to 6 easy ways you can make it happen.
1. Look at the labels: Reading the nutrition label before buying. It is important to be an informed consumer! Reading the label will also tell you the proper serving size for the food you’re eating.
2. Meatless Mondays: Try going meatless for a day once a week. This not only improves your health but helps the health of the planet, too. Bean Tamale Pie and Pasta Fagiola are meatless crowd pleasers.
3. Try something new every week: It is very easy to find new recipes, especially using Click ‘N Cook! Try choosing recipes with fruits and vegetables you’ve never tasted or cooked before, or add vegetables in a different way. These Magic Mashed “Potatoes” are a good place to start.
4. Expand your nutrition knowledge: Read about good nutrition by finding books or articles that celebrate healthy nutrition. You can even attend a nutrition class if you have the opportunity. Tip to make it fun: get a tip a day nutrition calendar or sign up for email alerts every day. Check out NutritionAction.com to sign up for their free e-newsletter and healthy tips.
5. Take part in a fun activity this month: Join a race, sign up for yoga, prep your garden, or take a dance class to get some enjoyable exercise during this month.
6. Spread the word: The point of National Nutrition Month is nutrition education. Visit EatRight.org to learn more about nutrition topics important to you, like strategies for reducing sodium and tips on how to handle picky eaters. Share your own nutrition knowledge with others and get them to participate with you.
Written by Sophie Hudicourt, nutrition student at Simmons College