Lifestyle changes are hard to make. Forming long-lasting health habits, for instance, takes effort and willpower to sustain. Any extra push toward your goal—whether it’s a support system, an educational resource, or reminders that motivate you—can make a significant impact. If you’re trying to live a healthier lifestyle and change your eating habits for the …
Lifestyle changes are hard to make. Forming long-lasting health habits, for instance, takes effort and willpower to sustain. Any extra push toward your goal—whether it’s a support system, an educational resource, or reminders that motivate you—can make a significant impact.
If you’re trying to live a healthier lifestyle and change your eating habits for the better, National Nutrition Month in March could be the perfect push that you need. Read on to learn more information about the campaign, how you can get the most out of National Nutrition Month, and the resources available to assist you on your nutrition journey.
National Nutrition Month is a yearly initiative that was created in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Every March, participants are encouraged to form health-conscious habits around nutritious eating and physical activity. Communities and schools of people participate together by learning about nutrition and supporting each others’ efforts to live healthier. Resources provided by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics during the month can also be great educational tools.
The month has a different theme every year, with topics ranging from preparing well-balanced meals, to sustainable food production, to pairing diet with exercise. Whatever the theme, however, the central message of forming healthier habits around nutrition stays the same.
Nutrition is a broad subject that encompasses many different healthful priorities and routines. As a result, the health tips promoted by National Nutrition Month are diverse and comprehensive. These tips include:
Monitoring the nutritional values of the food on your plate is a big part of living healthier. Food labels are a great way to keep track of these nutrients. As a rule of thumb, it is also recommended that you fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables, with a daily goal of 2 cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of vegetables. Watching your portion sizes of fruits and veggies as well as your share of grains, lean protein, and dairy will lead to a balanced diet.
Creating a consistent routine around mealtimes can be just as important as controlling which foods you’re eating. For example, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages people to make healthy breakfast a reliable part of their day. They also encourage having family meals at a regular mealtime at least a few times each week, or just slowing down at mealtime to appreciate your food, both of which can have positive effects on your food intake.
Although dietary nutrition is the main focus of National Nutrition Month, these efforts pair well with regular physical activity. Young people are encouraged to spend an hour being active every day, while adults should exercise at least two and a half hours per week. That doesn’t mean you have to spend this time in a gym—go on walks during the day, have fun outdoors, and look for other creative workouts.
While knowing the elements of a healthy lifestyle is one thing, implementing those practices into your daily routine is another. National Nutrition Month is the perfect time to make an actionable plan for better nutrition. Your month can include:
To accomplish tips around diet and exercise, set goals to incrementally work these changes into your life. At the beginning of the month you can make a commitment that you want to exercise a certain number of days a week, for example. You can also set goals for the number of days you want to strictly adhere to a recommended diet. Whatever your specific goals are, make them concrete, write them down, and reflect on your progress throughout the month.
If you want to eat healthier, an exciting part of National Nutrition Month can be planning meals that allow you to do so. Learning new recipes is a great way to eat healthy without getting bored with your food. Meal prep at the start of the month can even help if you think you might get discouraged by cooking time.
National Nutrition Month is a great excuse to bring other people into the fun and create a network around nutrition. Find friends who can join you for sports, hiking, or going to the gym. Share nutritious recipes with others or try these dishes at dinner parties. People working on their nutrition together can hold each other accountable and also enjoy themselves more.
National Nutrition Month is the perfect opportunity for you to prioritize your health. The month can serve as good motivation to monitor what you eat, when you eat, and how you exercise. It just takes clear goals, preparation, and a support system to get the most out of the campaign that you can. March is only 31 days, but the habits you form over the month can last a lifetime.
