Every March, registered dietitians, nutritionists, and food enthusiasts across the nation celebrate National Nutrition Month (NNM), a month dedicated to learning more about healthful food choices and developing positive habits around food and physical activity. This March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the world’s largest group and best source for all things food and nutrition, has chosen the main message of “Personalize Your Plate.” The goal of this year’s NNM is to encourage us to enjoy all foods, take the time to plan our meals and prioritize our health and nutrition for a lifetime.
4 Ways to Celebrate National Nutrition Month in 2021:
1. Eat a variety of nutritious foods every day!
Keeping the MyPlate guidelines in mind, think of ways that you can incorporate more food groups into your favorite meals including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, low-fat dairy products, and water. Michigan farmers offer an amazing variety of locally grown, quality foods and products. We all benefit from Michigan farm families who take pride in perfecting the art and science of growing fresh, high-quality foods and products, every month of the year. Visit this link for a complete list of all the Michigan grown food and products.
2. Plan your meals!
In a crazy, fast-paced world, it is easy to put our food habits on hold, reaching for fast and convenient meals throughout the day. Acknowledging the way in which these habits may decrease our health and well-being allows us to pave the way in making better food choices. Prioritize your nutrition and health by planning to use ONE more Michigan grown food or product each week. Supporting local farmers in your community is easy when you live in Michigan. We all benefit from the bounty of locally-grown foods, fresh from our state’s family farmers.
3. Learn new recipes to create tasty meals!
It’s super easy to turn to the same, easy recipes we grew up with or the fastest ones we know how to make by heart. By incorporating the MyPlate guidelines, taking the time to plan your meals, and thinking about which Michigan foods and products that are readily available, you are surely ready to try new recipes! Studies show that trying new recipes not only increases the variety and nutrient-dense foods in your diet, but also increases your happiness, self-esteem, and the relationships around you. Another great reason to get cooking and enjoying different types of foods. The Michigan Eats section of our website gives you the opportunity to not only try new recipes but highlights which Michigan-grown foods are in-season too!
4. Consult a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)!
The perfect way to prioritize your health and improve your relationship with food is to book an appointment RDN today. Dietitians are skilled in personalizing their nutrition advice just for you, to help you reach your nutrition goals, and help create a positive relationship around food. Our dietitians are skilled in diabetes prevention and management, weight management, chronic disease care, and much more!