National Nutrition Month
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics created National Nutrition Month® as an annual campaign. Everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthy eating and physical activity habits during the month of March.
Although many people set resolutions and try to turn over a new leaf around the New Year, March is also a great time for a healthy focus, as the long winter is nearly over. This month, at the start of spring, is often a time when people feel that winter is coming to an end, the sun is shining, and hope is rising.
With this in mind, March has been designated as National Nutrition Month–a time for people to begin learning and thinking more carefully about the foods they consume.
History of National Nutrition
National Nutrition Month is observed annually in March and is sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in the United States. National Nutrition Month encourages people to make healthy food choices and to develop healthy eating and exercise habits.
Nutrition Week was established by presidential proclamation (from Richard Nixon) in 1973, and by 1980 it had expanded to cover the entire month of March. National Nutrition Month was enthusiastically embraced by the federal and state governments, as well as the American Dietetic Association (as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics was then known), as an excellent vehicle for promoting healthy eating and educating the public.
Each year, National Nutrition Month is centered on a different theme, and from 1977 to 1980, Nutribird, who had a bright green cabbage for a head and a bold orange carrot beak, was the character who acted as the month's sponsor.
National Nutrition Month: How to Celebrate
Join us in celebrating this month for 31 days in a variety of ways! Try out these intriguing ideas for enjoying this month and sharing them with others:
Consume More Fresh Foods
This is an excellent month to start shopping for fresh fruits, vegetables, and other foods at your local grocery store. Even better, if the weather permits, go to a farmers' market in the area. Don't be afraid to ask the vegetable vendor for suggestions on how to prepare certain foods, or to look up some recipe ideas online.
Avoid eating fast food.
During National Nutrition Month, many people can make a simple change by avoiding fast food. If time is of the essence, pack a lunch in the morning or opt for a quick meal at a restaurant that offers a healthy salad or soup option.
Make a Garden
March is an excellent time to begin planning for the coming year. It's fine if it's still cold outside. Seedlings can be started indoors and then moved outside as the weather warms. Plants that are easy to grow and nutritious include lettuces, beans, radishes, peas, carrots, cucumbers, and kale.
Select Whole Grains
Trading in the empty calories of white rice, white bread, and plain pasta for whole-grain versions is a simple but super healthy substitute that doesn't require much effort. Brown rice and whole wheat or oat bread do not spike blood sugar as much as white rice and take longer to digest. Serving healthy spaghetti squash instead of empty calorie pasta is a great way to sneak a serving of vegetables into a meal.