“Fuel for the Future”

“Fuel for the Future”

By Caitlyn Kambouroglos, Registered Dietitian 

March has been designated as National Nutrition Month® by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Every year a new theme is chosen to help people move closer to more healthful eating habits. This year, the theme “Fuel for the Future” was chosen to highlight nourishing our bodies through sustainable foods. It also places emphasis on the importance of understanding how our nutrient needs change throughout the life cycle. 

The following are some tips and quick take-aways provided by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to focus on throughout the month of March.

• Look to purchase local and in season produce.
• Try starting your own backyard garden.
• Incorporate more plant-based meals into your weekly routine.
• Work with a registered dietitian or qualified health professional to learn how nutrient needs change throughout your life.
• Work with a nutrition professional one-on-one to help you meet your health goals and support your body’s specific needs.
• Take inventory of the food you have at home and see what meals you can make with those ingredients before going to the grocery store to buy more. 
• Plan out some of your meals and snacks for the week ahead of time to save money and increase your intake of nourishing foods throughout the day.
• Learn about resources in the community that can provide you with access to food. 
• Avoid the cycle of fad diets and restricting too many foods from nourishing food groups.
• Practice gratitude for the body you have by including plenty of healthful foods in your diet. 
• Try a new food and learn a new cooking skill.
• Instead of throwing away leftovers, use your creativity to prepare a delicious meal or snack.
• When possible eat meals with family and friends to create lasting memories.

Source: National Nutrition Month®. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.eatright.org/national-nutrition-month-2023