Healthy Tips Inspired by National Nutrition Month
Nutrition should be at the top of your list every month, but every year in March, nutrition takes center stage. National Nutrition Month was established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In 2024, the theme of National Nutrition Month was “Beyond the Table,” a campaign that focused on the sustainability of the food we all eat daily. In this post, we take a deep dive into how you can embrace National Nutrition Month all year round and put your health first.
What is National Nutrition Month?
National Nutrition Month focuses on your relationship with food. Specifically, this month centers on adding the proper elements to your diet to promote healthy weight and well-being. While individual nutritional needs vary, taking time out of our busy lives to pay attention to what we put on our plates can help contribute to healthy choices all around.
If you’re struggling with nutrition this year, it might be time to reach out for help. Talk to your doctor about how to supplement your nutritional needs, or visit a nutrition expert to discuss meal plans.
Health Tips We Learned from National Nutrition Month
Eating a variety of foods can support healthy nutrition. For instance, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends eating from several food groups, including proteins, grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy. Weaving variety into your meal plan can help mix things up occasionally.
How can you jumpstart your nutritional goals? Check out the following tips for inspiration:
- Cook more meals at home
- Go organic
- Buy meat, dairy products, and produce from local farmers
- Learn how to read food labels
- Drink more water to stay hydrated
- Watch portion sizes
- Reduce added sugars
- Prepare healthy snacks
- Contribute to less food waste
- Eat some kind of breakfast every morning
- Talk to your doctor about adding any necessary supplements
- Eat seafood twice weekly
- Mimic a favorite recipe you typically order out
- Savor your meal by eating slowly
- Experiment with plant-based ingredients
Healthy living also incorporates exercise with nutritional eating habits. If you haven’t already, strategize a way to add regular exercise to your routine, regardless of whether you go on a walk every day or contribute to a larger weight-loss goal.
How Visiting Angels Toms River Supports Senior Nutrition
Healthy nutrition remains vital throughout our lives, but it’s even more critical for seniors. Visiting Angels Toms River caregivers help support senior nutrition daily with healthy meal planning and preparation. Below are additional resources to help keep local seniors adequately nourished:
- Farmers’ Markets and Their Benefits for NJ Seniors
- Why Baking is Good for You
- National Soup Month: the Healing Properties of Chicken Soup
- Eat This, Not That! Why Seniors May Need to Eat Anti-Inflammatory Foods
- Losing Weight After 65: Tips, Strategies and Health Benefits
- Brain Boosting Foods
Remember that National Nutrition Month is about bringing awareness to our relationship with food. While March may have focused on this cause, the true purpose is to make a lifelong connection. What we put in our bodies is just as important as what we surround it with.
If you’d like to learn more about how Visiting Angels Toms River caregivers can help support your aging loved one’s nutrition, contact us for a free consultation.