Designated by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, National Nutrition Month (March) offers an opportunity to spotlight healthy eating and physical activity at home, school, work and in our community.
This year’s theme is Go Further with Food, and its importance is timely for several reasons. According to the Academy, whether it’s starting the day off right with a healthy breakfast or fueling up before an athletic event, the foods you choose can make a difference.
The Academy advises that preparing your foods to go further, by planning meals and snacks in advance, can also help to reduce food loss and waste. Go Further with Food promotes the many benefits that eating healthy has, but it also urges us to find ways to scale back on food waste.
"While millions of Americans worry about how to feed their families, the amount of safe food wasted in the United States is on the rise," says registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Spokesperson Cordialis Msora-Kasago. "By making small changes to the way we think about eating, we can help reduce food waste."
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics promotes these messages:
- Include a variety of healthful foods from all of the food groups on a regular basis
- Consider the foods you have on hand before buying more at the store
- Buy only the amount that can be eaten or frozen within a few days and plan on ways to use leftovers later in the week
- Be mindful of portion sizes. Eat and drink the amount that’s right for you, as MyPlate encourages us to do
- Continue to use good food safety practices
- Find activities that you enjoy and be physically active most days of the week
- Realize the benefits of healthy eating by consulting with a registered dietitian nutritionist
To learn more about National Nutrition Month, visit www.eatright.org. You can also log onto choosemyplate.gov for more helpful food tips and information.
