Time to think about what we eat! March is National Nutrition Month, an annual campaign implemented by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. On its “Choose My Plate” website, the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers a toolkit for celebrating the month in this year’s theme, “Go Further with Food.” The website explains the theme:
“Preparing your foods to go further by planning meals and snacks in advance can also help to reduce food loss and waste. This year’s theme for National Nutrition Month encourages us to achieve the numerous benefits healthy eating habits offer, but it also urges us to find ways to cut back on food waste. Learning how to manage food resources at home will help you ‘Go Further with Food’ while saving both nutrients and money.”
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the theme’s key messages are:
- 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 ways to use leftovers later in the week.
- Be mindful of portion sizes. Eat and drink the amount that’s right for you.
- 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, who can provide sound, easy-to-follow personalized nutrition advice to meet your lifestyle, preferences and health-related needs.
The Academy also supplies ideas for celebrating National Nutrition Month in the workplace.
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