Happy National Nutrition Month!
Nutrition is key to a healthy and happy life. It’s about the food we eat and how it fuels our bodies for everyday tasks. It’s not just about diets or calories; it’s about giving our bodies the nutrients they need to stay strong and energized.
The Benefits of Prioritizing Nutrition
- Better Health: Supports immunity, digestion, and lowers risks of heart disease and diabetes.
- More Energy: Nutrient-rich foods help keep energy steady throughout the day.
- Clearer Mind: Brain-boosting foods improve focus, concentration, and mood.
- Healthy Weight: Smart food choices and daily habits support long-term weight control.
Quality of Life: Nourishing foods help us feel stronger, confident, and ready for daily challenges.
Building Healthier Habits Together
A Month of Empowerment: March is National Nutrition Month, a time to celebrate healthy eating and support our community’s wellbeing.
A Little Throwback History: Started in 1973 as National Nutrition Week and expanded to a full month in 1980.
Why it Matters: The month encourages everyone to make informed food choices and build healthy eating and physical activity habits.
Our Impact: What we eat affects our health and the health of our planet.
As we celebrate National Nutrition Month, EatRight.org offers some tips to remind us of its significance.
Stay Nourished on a Budget
Creative ways to stay nourished on a budget.
- Learn New Skills: Try simple cooking, meal prep, and planning techniques to make meals more affordable.
- Involve Your Kids: Let children help with cooking and planning to build healthy habits early.
- Make a Grocery List: Stay focused, avoid extras, and look for sales when shopping.
- Use Community Resources: Programs like WIC, SNAP, and local food banks can help stretch your food budget.
- Practice Food Safety: Wash hands, refrigerate foods quickly, cook to safe temperatures, and keep surfaces clean.
Connect with a Local Nutrition Expert
- Find the right RDN who specializes in your unique needs.
- Get personalized guidance to receive nutrition information tailored to your health goals.
- Discover the many ways RDNs can help people live healthier lives.
Ask your healthcare provider if they can refer you to a registered dietitian.
You can also access RDN services through community programs, such as the WIC Program, which offers free nutrition support for families and children.
Explore New Food and Taste a Variety of Foods from All Food Groups.
- Enjoy Cultural Favorites: Keep the foods and traditions you love.
- Use All Food Forms: Fresh, frozen, canned, and dried foods all count.
- Try New Ingredients: Experiment with recipe swaps.
- Explore Global Flavors: Taste new foods and cuisines.
Recipes and Meal Ideas
Find easy, nutritious recipes through trusted resources like Texas WIC to help you prepare healthy meals for your family.
Eat with the Environment in Mind
- Shop Local: Buy foods in seasonal foods and support local farmers and vendors.
- Add Plant-Based Meals: Include more plant-based dishes to reduce environmental impact.
- Reduce Food Waste: Watch portion sizes and get creative with leftovers.
- Teach Sustainability: Start a small garden with kids or make a compost bin together to show how food scraps can help the environment.
Understanding Nutrition Labels
Read Nutrition Labels Before You Buy
Don’t skip the food label when shopping. It may look confusing at first, but focusing on a few key points helps you make smarter, healthier choices.
- Start with Serving Size: These are measured in familiar units that reflect the amount that people typically eat or drink.
- Check Calories: Provides a measure of how much energy you get from a serving.
- Limit These: Saturated Fats, Sodium and Added Sugars.
- Look for More: Dietary Fiber, Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, and Potassium.
Use % Daily Value:
5% or less= low nutrients per serving
20% or more= high nutrients per serving
Nutrition Reimagined
Exploring the Food Pyramid to Fuel your Plate
- Eat vegetables and fruits throughout the day.
- Prioritize protein at every meal.
- Add healthy fats like eggs, nuts, seeds, olives, avocados, seafood, and meats.
- Choose whole grains and cut back on refined carbs.
- Limit processed food, added sugars, and artificial additives.
- Choose water and unsweetened beverages to support hydration.
- Eat the amount that fits your age, sex, body size, and activity level.
Good nutrition works best when your body moves. Stay active to fuel your health.