Did you know March is National Nutrition Month?
As defined by Merriam-Webster, nutrition is the act or process of nourishing or being nourished. We can nourish ourselves by eating fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, dairy, and whole grains.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a healthy balanced diet includes making half of our plates fruits and vegetables, a serving of grains (ensuring half of our grains come from whole grains), a serving of protein, and a serving of dairy.
This year’s theme for National Nutrition Month is “Fuel for the Future”. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics states, “Eating with sustainability in mind is a tasty way to nourish ourselves during every phase of life and protect the environment.”
Ways to observe
There are several ways to observe National Nutrition Month, including:
- Being mindful about the environment when eating: Enjoy more plant-based meals and snacks, perhaps participating in “Meatless Mondays”, purchase foods with little packaging, buy seasonal produce and shop locally when possible, or start a container or backyard garden to grow your own produce!
- See a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN): Talk to your doctor about a referral to an RDN to discuss your nutrient needs and receive personalized nutrition information.
- Stay nourished and save money: Plan meals and snacks, limit food waste by checking your pantry and refrigerator to see what foods you have before purchasing more, use a list and shop sales to save when grocery shopping, and learn about community resources including SNAP, WIC, and local food pantries.
- Eat a variety of food from all food groups: Include your favorite cultural foods and traditions, save money and maximize the time in between grocery trips by eating foods in various forms such as fresh, frozen, canned, and dried foods, avoid fad diets and focus on sustaining a healthy diet as a part of your lifestyle, practice gratitude for your body by nourishing it with healthy foods.
- Make tasty foods at home: Learn how to cook and prepare your favorite meals at home using copycat recipes, swapping in healthy alternatives to decrease sodium, sugar, and fat, try new spices and foods from around the world, find creative ways to use leftovers to minimize food waste, and create memories by eating with your loved ones, in-person or virtually!
Celebrate environmentally sustainable nutrition this month in fun and creative ways! March 14th is “Pi Day” (3 /14). Enjoy the day by making a pizza with your family and loading it with your favorite cheeses and veggies!
Enjoy a festive green smoothie on St. Patrick’s Day, like this peanut butter and jelly smoothie.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie
- 1 cup low-fat milk
- ¾ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 2 cups of baby spinach
- 1 medium frozen banana slices
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 2 tbsp. natural peanut butter
- 1 tbsp. pure maple syrup
Combine all ingredients to the pitcher of a blender and blend on high until smooth. Enjoy!
Or you could create an eye-pleasing fruit and veggie rainbow using local, in-season produce!
The wonderful thing about nutrition is you can use your creativity to make fun and healthy meals with your family, nourishing both the body and the soul!
