March is National Nutrition Month – this year’s theme is Fuel for the Future. No matter your age or activity level, making healthful food and drink choices will provide your body with energy now and fuel for the future. Plus, the benefits of eating healthfully can add up over time.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Eatright.org) has these helpful tips of ways we can Fuel for the Future.
Eat with the environment in mind. Buying foods in season and shopping locally, when possible, not only benefits the planet, but it also may help you keep food costs down. Enjoying more plant-based meals and snacks is another option. Try more meatless meals or substituting some or all of the meat in recipes with plant-based proteins.
Stay nourished and save money. When prices of food and other goods go up, buying healthful foods may not feel like a priority. Yet, many healthful foods are filling, cost less overall and help to manage or reduce your chances of developing certain chronic diseases. A little planning before you shop can go a long
way in choosing foods that are affordable, satisfying and have a higher amount of nutrition.
Eat a variety of foods from all food groups. Fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods and dairy all play a role in fueling our bodies. Choosing a variety of healthful foods is important, since foods can differ in the nutrients they provide. Follow MyPlate’s Daily Recommendations for each food group to get the nutrients you need at each life stage. Eat foods in various forms including fresh, frozen, canned and dried.
Make tasty food at home. To increase variety in your eating routine, try new flavors and foods from around the world. Another way to eat healthier and save money is to learn cooking and meal preparation skills. This can help you find creative ways to use leftovers rather than tossing them.
Putting it all together. Finding ways to include the foods you enjoy while getting the nutrients you need is important at any age. The foods and drinks we choose can be influenced by a variety of things, such as taste, cost, culture, convenience, and cooking skills. Check out MyPlate.gov for healthy eating tips, nutrition guidelines for life stages and National Nutrition Month activities. MyPlate Plan provides a personal eating pattern and shows your food group targets. Eatright.org has Find a Nutrition Expert which shows Registered Dietitian Nutritionists per geographical area for expert nutrition counseling. Spend Smart. Eat Smart. (SSES) is an app and a website whose motto is: You Can Eat Healthy and Stick to a Tight Grocery Budget. SSES has healthy, low-cost recipes, physical activity videos, a new kids tab, and other resources. Take time today to plan a celebration for National Nutrition Month!
Adapted from https://www.eatright.org/national-nutrition-month-2023
Resources: https://www.eatright.org/, https://spendsmart.extension.iastate.edu/, https://www.myplate.gov/