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National Nutrition Month:
“Eat Right, Bite by Bite”
March 2020
By Beth Hickey
SCORE Career Path Intern
March is National Nutrition Month® and the theme for 2020 is “Eat Right, Bite by Bite.”
But what does this mean?
The Academy of Dietetics hosts National Nutrition Month with the goal of helping people “eat right” by making informed choices on healthful nutrition. Making the change to a more nutritious diet can be a daunting prospect, which is where “bite by bite” comes in. By breaking down the tasks of eating a nourishing diet and forming healthy exercise habits into small steps it becomes much more manageable.
Here are some “bites” to try out this month:
Include new nutritious foods in your diet each week. Variety is the key to ensuring you get all the nutrients you need from your diet. Build meals and snacks that include lots of different colored foods from different food groups.
Pick foods in their most natural form. When grocery shopping choose foods that have ingredients you can recognize. The least processed and least amount of added preservatives, sweeteners, and colors the better. Sometimes simple is good.
Buy local and in season. Focus on purchasing fruit and veg that are in season to get the most nutrients and flavor. Buying local where possible, means reducing the impact on the environment from food being transported great distances, at the same time as supporting local farms and businesses. A great way to do this is shopping at farmers markets, being aware of where your food is coming from and what is in season.
Be prepared. Planning ahead in our busy lives can be hard, but there are some easy solutions. Try carrying a piece of fruit, some trail mix or granola bar in your backpack so that when hunger strikes you have a healthy option rather than being tempted to buy a candy bar, chips or other convenience items. Whenever you cook dinner, make extra to have on hand the next day or freeze for an emergency.
Choose to move. Exercise is vital for a healthy lifestyle. It can be easily included in the busiest schedule. Daily lifestyle activities count, such as walking, cycling and walking up the stairs. To make exercise more enjoyable, find people to socialize with while exercising, try out a new fitness class, return to an old sport you haven’t played in a while, go for a hike or even do some gardening.
Reach out for help. If there is something that is preventing you from making these small changes to your diet and lifestyle, or you just need some more guidance, the best thing to do is ask for help. A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is qualified to provide you with the information and guidance you need to make lasting changes for building a healthier diet regardless of your obstacles. Find an RDN in your area.
