Start marching into health!
March is National Nutrition Month®
National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. So March is a wonderful time of the year to renew your New Year goals and start marching into health! Pun intended!
“Go Further with Food” is the theme for 2018.
Preparing foods to go further, by planning meals and snacks in advance can help to reduce food loss and waste. Taking into account what is in your fridge and being creative in using leftovers can make meal prep easier and save you money. “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”.
Some things to consider:
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- Include a variety of healthful foods from all of the food groups on a regular basis.
- Change things up, so you don’t get bored, and thus crave something less healthy.
- Consider the foods you have on hand before buying more at the store.
- Gone are the days of needing to stock up. Most of us have grocery stores nearby. Buy only the amount that can be eaten or frozen within a few days and plan ways to use leftovers later in the week.
- Keep a lunch container/cooler in your car. Plan to take leftovers from restaurants. You can add other foods to the leftovers, so you can have lunch or dinner the next day.
- If you are busy and on the go, bring healthy snacks and foods in a cooler. Stop at a park or eat in your car. Slow down and savor your healthy foods. You not only save time but money on eating out.
- Always, be mindful of portion sizes. Eat and drink the amount that’s healthy for you.
- Find activities that you enjoy and be physically active most days of the week.
- Tune into your body and lifestyle and develop a healthy eating plan unique to you. One that’s easy to maintain and packed with tasty nutritious foods.
Remember though, if the food you are planning on saving is unhealthy food, (the indulgences, the treats etc. you know what I mean!) or if you come from the “clean your plate” club, it is better in the garbage than in you. Please give yourself full permission to feel liberated as you throw it out. Free from those old feelings of guilt.