March is National Nutrition Month, a time to highlight nutrition education and information across the United States. It’s a campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the goal is good health for all. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is an organization made up of registered nutritionists and dietetics practitioners who study and understand the importance of food and physical activity in everyday life. There are endless ways to celebrate this month, from learning about healthy eating habits and nutritional recommendations from dieticians to educating others about the history of this campaign.
A brief history
Reports of National Nutrition Month began as "National Nutrition Week" in March of 1973. While the initial week-long celebration had similar goals to raise awareness about nutrition and the dietitian profession, much of the campaign has evolved along with modern understandings of health. Over the years, nutritionists have developed more in-depth ways to make informed food choices and set physical activity habits. The week-long campaign saw growth in the 1980s as society became more interested in nutrition, leading to what is now a month-long celebration.
Most members of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics are registered dietitians and nutritionists. In fact, with more than 100,000 professionals involved, the Academy is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition practitioners. There’s even a special day in the month to spotlight those nutritionists called Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day, the second Wednesday in March.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics began in 1917 by a visionary group of women committed to helping the government conserve food and improve the public's health during World War I. Now, Academy members are a vital part of how the United States shapes public food choices and education about nutrition. The American Dietetic Association chooses a theme for National Nutrition Month every year. The theme for 2022 is Celebrate a World of Flavors, which embraces global cultures, cuisines, and overall inclusion in understanding health.
How to celebrate
There are many ways to celebrate National Nutrition Month. Here are a few to help inspire even more.
Spread the word
Talk to your family and friends about National Nutrition Month. Share posts on social media with the hashtag #NationalNutritionMonth and promote conversations about living a more healthy life.
Learn how to read nutrition labels
Nutrition labels can be challenging to understand and inaccessible to many readers. In fact, studies show front labels on food packaging can be so misleading that they can dramatically affect consumer choices who might have made different options with the correct information. But, there are ways to become an expert food packaging myth buster. The FDA offers a detailed breakdown so that you can begin to know what your labels actually mean.
Move when you can
Find ways to move throughout the day that are accessible to you, whether taking the stairs, waking up with a morning stretch, or incorporating a morning workout into your day.
Add more live foods to your meals
Incorporate more vegetables and fruits to improve your health. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has a ton of fun recipes to help inspire healthier food ideas.
Switch out for healthier alternatives
Craving a sweet snack? Go for dark chocolate rather than milk chocolate or have a piece of fruit instead. Try lightly salted popcorn over a bag of potato chips. Go for whole grains in the grocery store, like whole wheat, quinoa, brown rice, barley, and farro, instead of enriched white bread and white rice. Simple swaps in the grocery store might seem small but can really add up to a healthier lifestyle.
Plan a virtual cooking demo or nutrition event
Consider scheduling a fun cooking call with friends where you can make various healthy meals.
Organize a food donation drive
Rally together to bring healthy foods to parts of your community where they may be less accessible. Areas in cities known as food deserts make it more difficult to get affordable and nutritious food, but local campaigns like community fridges have become beacons of hope for many neighborhoods around the U.S. You can also donate money to your local pantry or shelter to help them provide warm meals.
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