4 Healthy & Sustainable Ways To Celebrate National Nutrition Month

National Nutrition Month was started in 1973 to deliver nutrition education and promote the profession of dietetics. It was originally only celebrated for one week but has now expanded to the entire month of March to stress the importance of developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Here are a few ways you can celebrate:

1.     Take small steps toward eating better.

Perhaps one of the most common New Year’s resolutions is getting into better shape, yet approximately 80% of people abandon this goal by the second week of February. Many people start out strong but end up falling off because they deprive themselves of certain foods so much, that over time it leads to cravings, binges, and overeating.

Stop thinking of food as “good” and “bad” and eat what you really desire, but practice moderation. For example, if you enjoy soda, instead of having the 20 oz bottle, reach for the 12 oz can. Instead of completely overhauling all the food you eat overnight, start with having one healthier meal every day. As time passes, slowly add in other healthier options. For most people, it is more sustainable to make small, gradual changes than drastic ones, leading to better overall health.

2.     Try foods from different cultures.

The theme of this year’s National Nutrition Month is ​​“A World of Flavors,” to celebrate different cultures and international dishes. Take this as an opportunity to spice up your meals and get out of your cooking rut. While shopping for and cooking with new spices or produce may seem daunting, start small. Instead of cooking a full meal, you could start with a side dish to complement other foods you are already familiar with. And if cooking is not your forte, you could try a new local restaurant. You may discover a new favorite food or a delicious, healthier option to aid you in eating better.

3.     Choose food over supplements.

A recent survey showed that more than 4 in 5 American adults take vitamins or supplements, yet only 21% had test results indicating they had a nutritional deficiency. While we mean well, the unnecessary use of supplements can actually have negative side effects that can even be life-threatening. So starting this month if you have not been directed by a doctor to take a supplement, try using food to get your daily vitamin and nutrition needs instead. As research shows nutrients from food may be linked to lower risks of death compared to nutrients from supplements.

4.     Make an effort to end food insecurity.

When thinking about being healthy, it's easy to focus on the physical aspect, rather than the mental. But research shows your mental health does have an impact on your physical health as well. One way of improving your mental health is by helping others. The pandemic, supply chain issues, and inflation have negatively impacted many people and led to even more reliance on food banks. In accordance with this year’s theme, think outside of the box. Instead of donating the typical canned food items, donate culturally specific things that may not normally be offered at food banks, but would be greatly appreciated by the recipient. Or, you can support other organizations that are working to end food insecurity. Safeway for example has several ongoing initiatives to increase convenience and access to healthy food through their Nourishing Neighbors program.

In short, take some time this month to make proactive changes in order to improve both your physical and mental health. Remember they don’t have to be drastic changes to have an impact. Slow and steady wins the race!