Happy March! Did you know March is National Nutrition Month! Every year the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) creates a nutrition education and information campaign focusing on the importance of a healthy diet and incorporating more physical activity. The different themes focus on helping people create an eating and physical activity pattern that works for them. This month’s theme is “Go Further with Food,” encourages us to benefit from healthy eating as well as help us cut back on food waste. Managing our food better will help us ‘further our food’ while saving us money.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ key message to remember and take away from this year’s campaign is to
- Include a variety of healthful foods, which stresses mostly plant based foods – fruits, vegetables and whole grains
- Consider the foods you have on hand first. Understand that the words on food labels ‘best if used by’ or ‘sell by’ date doesn’t necessarily mean its bad and that you need to throw it away; it just means that their quality is better before that date. Many times, the food is still safe to eat beyond the date listed.
- Make a plan – this is where meal prepping becomes handy, because you’ll have a plan for what your meals will look like for the week so you can buy appropriately and avoid buying unnecessary items.
- Plan ways to use leftovers. We waste so much food in our society! It’s reported that globally we waste 1.3 billion tonnes of food a year! Start being mindful and notice what kinds of things you’re throwing out. Use leftover vegetables and make an omelette, or stir fry. Avoid ordering large meals when you eat out or ask for a to-go box and eat your leftovers; or share with someone instead. Start composting as well
- Find activities that you enjoy and try to stay active. Try to stay active throughout the day. It’s better to keep staying active throughout the day as opposed to working out for 1 hour then being sedentary the rest of the day. Take the stairs instead of elevator, park further away, go for a walk after lunch for even just 10 minutes. Just move!
Although this is a one month campaign, I hope you can start making steps to a healthier and more sustainable way for a lifetime. If you need guidance on where to start with nutrition or you’d like to work with a registered dietitian like myself, please feel free to reach out. Nutrition is individualized and there’s no perfect diet or one size fits all, we’re all uniquely different, so a unique diet plan is important.
