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2023 National Nutrition Month®

It’s the 50th anniversary of National Nutrition Month® held annually in March. The purpose is to learn how to make informed food choices and take steps to improved physical activity and healthful eating.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics chose the theme of “Fuel for the Future.” This emphasizes sustainable healthy habits and protecting the environment. Many ideas are available to improve your health at home, work, school, grocery store, and more.

Learn more about this campaign at www.eatright.org/national-nutrition-month-2023.

 

Go Nuts!

Nuts are a tasty crunchy treat packed with protein, dietary fiber and unsaturated fat. They are an easy snack, and not just for squirrels!

When storing nuts, the refrigerator or freezer can extend their shelf life. Pack nuts in a clean, freezer-safe container to resist moisture and odors from other foods. Store in the refrigerator about one year or in the freezer up to two years.

If stored at room temperature, they can become rancid over time and lose quality.

Learn more from University of California-Davis Food Safety.

Research has shown that a diet that includes nuts with low saturated fat and cholesterol may protect against heart disease.

When an Ingredient Statement Says “Spice”

Man shopping in supermarket
Photo: USDA Flickr

Reading ingredient statements on food packages provides you a list of ingredients in that food from most to least in the formula. So when you read the word “spice” or “spices” what does that mean?

According to the FDA Code of Federal Regulations, certain spices can be listed by their common or usual name or declared collectively without naming each spice. A spice is define as any aromatic vegetable substance in the whole, broken or ground form. Examples include allspice, basil, dill seed, black pepper and others. The exception is a substance traditionally used as a food, such as onions, garlic or celery. These cannot be included as a spice. Spices such as paprika, turmeric, and saffron are also colors and must be declared as “spice and coloring” or by their common name.

 

Stick to SMART Nutrition Goals

resolutionJanuary prompts many to resolutions to improve their goals. The most popular resolutions are eating less sugar, losing weight, and improving diet healthfulness. Here’s some SMART tips from the International Food Information Council.

Be Specific—set a specific goal or change that you can realistically attain. Adding a fruit or vegetable to each meal is an easy choice! What does healthier eating mean to you?

Make it Measurable—So you want to add more fruits and vegetables to a meal? How many? Give the goal a number and track it to make it into a habit.

Make it Attainable—Small steps can lead to big rewards. For example, making a shopping list and buying smaller quantities can be attainable and reduce food waste.

Be Realistic—Making big changes, like never eating out for lunch and packing a lunch can be a challenge depending on your schedule. Start with one or two days a week to bring your lunch to work.

Set a Time Limit—Make a deadline to reach your goals. Another option is to divide your goals into specific time amounts to make them easier to manage.

 

Dietary Guidelines Resources in Español

As National Nutrition Month® wraps up in March, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, are now available in Español.

These resources are for professional educators and for consumers. There are figures and infographics also. These resources are helpful to promote healthy eating from birth to older adulthood.

Start simple. Every healthy bite counts over time to improve overall health.

Learn more and download many tools and resources at https://dietaryguidelines.gov/resources.

National Nutrition Month®

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics supports the annual focus of National Nutrition Month®. The goal is to educate consumers about making informed food choices along with improving physical activity.

For the March 2022 campaign, the theme is “Celebrate a World of Flavors.” Learn to incorporate foods and flavors from other cultures around the world each week.

There are tools to help spread the message of choosing nutritious foods and boosting a variety of flavors. This includes social media posts and many tip sheets, activities, and more. See the National Nutrition Month® website for details.

 

Add Some Green Each Day!

Photo: USDA Flickr

Spring is coming! So add some green color to your meals to add nutrition and to enjoy the fresh green color. Here’s some ideas!

  • Sliced green apples dipped in yogurt or peanut butter.
  • Crunchy celery and cucumbers with savory hummus.
  • Try Zoats! Zucchini in oatmeal for breakfast.
  • Broccoli and cheese is always a classic side dish.
  • Fresh spinach in scrambled eggs or a veggie omelet is an easy way to add green and vitamin A.

Source: Celebrate Spring! University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension

Photo: USDA Flickr

 

Have a Healthy Holiday Season!

Take these steps to be safe and healthy during the holidays.

Wash hands often to help prevent the spread of germs. It’s flu season. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds.

Eat healthy, stay active. Eat fruits and vegetables which pack nutrients and help lower the risk for certain diseases. Limit your portion sizes and foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. Also, be active for at least 2½ hours a week and help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day.

Get inspired with 12 Ways to Have a Healthy Holiday Season.