National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The focus is to bring attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. In addition, National Nutrition Month promotes the Academy and its members to the public and the media as the most valuable and credible source of timely, scientifically-based food and nutrition information.
The Theme for 2016 is “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right,” which encourages everyone to take time to enjoy food traditions and appreciate the pleasures, great flavors and social experiences food can add to our lives. How, when, why and where we eat are just as important as what we eat. Develop a mindful eating pattern that includes nutritious and flavorful foods — that’s the best way to savor the flavor of eating right!
How, when, why and where we eat are just as important as what we eat. The taste of foods adds pleasure to eating – especially if you eat a greater variety of foods and learn how to include your favorites in an overall healthful eating style. Making sure to enjoy the sights, sounds, memories and interactions associated with eating are essential to developing an overall healthy eating plan. This year’s theme encourages everyone to take time to enjoy food traditions and appreciate the pleasures, great flavors and social experiences food can add to our lives.
Americans tend to eat a light breakfast or skip it, grab lunch on the run and eat the bulk of our calories from dinner. It’s one thing to stock up on fruits and vegetables; it’s another to eat them before they shrivel and go brown. It is also a great reminder for everyone to develop a mindful eating pattern that includes nutritious and flavorful foods, while also taking the time to enjoy everything that a healthful and tasty meal brings with it. If your mornings are too rushed, try to fuel up at lunch. If don’t have time for a big breakfast, you can chow down on a big, healthy lunch. This help shrink your dinner and limit evening snacking. It can be hard to hunt down healthful snacks on the go. So bring your own.
Maintaining a healthy weight depends on burning sufficient calories, too. In addition to planning out meals and practicing portion control, these nutrition experts fit physical activity into their hectic lives in different ways, depending on the season. They walk, run, go to a gym, play team sports, use fitness apps or videos and burn calories by taking stairs and parking farther from their destinations. Celebrate National Nutrition Month this March by borrowing a few tactics from their playbooks. Foods nourish your body. Being well-nourished means you get enough of the nutrients your body needs. Part of being well nourished also means eating portions of foods just right for you. The true definition of fitness refers to your own optimal health and overall well being.