Celebrating National Nutrition Month: A Time to Revitalize Our Commitment to Health – Celebrating National Nutrition Month: A Time to Revitalize Our Commitment to Health
Each March, health-conscious individuals and communities across the United States celebrate National Nutrition Month, a time dedicated to embracing healthy eating habits and recognizing the importance of nutrition in our lives. Instituted by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, this observance highlights the necessity of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. As we celebrate this month, it’s crucial to understand why nutrition deserves this focus and what actions can be taken to participate actively in this observance.
Understanding the Focus on Nutrition
Nutrition forms the cornerstone of good health. The foods we consume play a critical role in how we feel today, tomorrow, and in the future. A balanced diet can protect us from various health issues, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and different types of cancer. Conversely, poor diets have a substantial negative impact on health, often contributing to these very conditions.
Despite the known benefits of healthy eating, fast-paced lifestyles and readily available processed foods have led many to adopt less nutritious diets. National Nutrition Month serves as a reminder of the benefits of whole foods and balanced diets and encourages us to make conscious decisions about what we put into our bodies.
Participating in National Nutrition Month
There are numerous ways individuals, families, schools, and communities can engage with National Nutrition Month.
Here are several strategies to help you focus on nutrition throughout March:
Learn About Nutritious Foods:
Knowledge is the starting point. Utilize resources to understand the nutritional value of different foods. Learn about what constitutes a balanced diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein sources and how each nutrient impacts your body and health.
Plan Healthy Meals:
Take time to plan a healthy meal schedule. Include a variety of food groups, focusing on whole foods and minimizing processed ones. Ensure your meals are colorful (incorporating fruits and vegetables), balanced with protein, and appropriately portioned.
Cook at Home:
Cooking at home allows you to control the ingredients and, by extension, the nutrients, calories, and portion sizes. Make cooking a fun family activity, allowing everyone to learn and appreciate the importance of healthy food.
Educational Projects:
Schools and communities can organize educational projects and workshops highlighting the importance of nutrition, local nutrient-rich produce, and healthy cooking practices. Engaging with food on this educational level helps to foster a community spirit centered around health.
Start a Garden:
Gardening encourages physical activity and provides fresh produce that is readily available for healthy eating. Community gardens are also fantastic opportunities to engage neighborhoods and schools, teaching children and adults alike about the source of their food.
Consult a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN):
For personalized dietary advice, consider reaching out to an RDN. These professionals provide science-based guidance tailored to individual health needs and can be instrumental in helping you achieve nutritional goals.
Promote Physical Activity:
Nutrition and physical activity go hand in hand when it comes to overall health. Use this month to adopt or encourage a more active lifestyle, whether through organized sports, daily walks, or fitness classes.
Social Media Challenges:
Launch or participate in healthy eating challenges on social media. Sharing your journey, favorite healthy recipes or new food discoveries can inspire your circle and beyond. Hashtags like #NationalNutritionMonth or #EatRight can unify and expand the reach of these efforts.
By celebrating National Nutrition Month, we collectively emphasize the ongoing commitment to a healthier nation. However, it’s vital to remember that focusing on proper nutrition shouldn’t be limited to March but practiced consistently throughout the year. This period stands as a reminder and a revitalizing point, spurring us to maintain or adopt lifestyles that will positively impact our health in the long term. Whether you choose to plant a garden, engage in a community event, or take steps towards personal dietary changes, every effort contributes to a broader national movement towards comprehensive wellness.
Thinking of trying a new recipe at home using seasonal vegetables found in spring? March is a transitional period between winter and spring, so you might still find some winter vegetables alongside early spring produce. A recipe that celebrates this mix is a “Spring Vegetable Frittata,” ideal for brunch or a light dinner.
This frittata recipe is versatile, so feel free to substitute any of the vegetables with other seasonal produce, such as spinach, artichokes, or radishes, depending on availability and preference. Enjoy your meal with a fresh green salad for a delightful and nutritious dish that celebrates the season!
Spring Vegetable Frittata Ingredients:
- 8 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk or cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
- 1 small leek, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced and rinsed well
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup fresh peas (or thawed if frozen)
- 1/2 cup zucchini, diced
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated cheese (such as cheddar, Gruyère, or feta, can omit if dairy-free)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Additional salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Preheat your oven’s broiler to high.
- Whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Heat the olive oil or butter in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced leeks and a pinch of salt. Sauté until the leeks are soft, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the garlic, asparagus, and zucchini to the skillet. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are just tender but still bright green.
- Stir in the peas and green onions, cooking for an additional minute.
- Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables in the skillet. Stir gently to make sure the eggs are evenly distributed.
- Sprinkle the grated cheese over the top and let the frittata cook, undisturbed, until the edges begin to set, about 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated broiler. Broil the frittata for 3-4 minutes or until the top is golden and puffy and the center is set.
- Remove the skillet from the oven (remember that the handle will be hot) and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Run a rubber spatula around the edges and underneath the frittata to ensure it’s not sticking to the skillet. Slide the frittata onto a cutting board or serving platter.
- Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, slice into wedges, and serve warm or at room temperature.
Estimated Nutritional Information per Serving
Calories: 220-250 kcal Protein: 14-16 g Total Fat: 15-17 g Cholesterol: 250-270 mg Carbohydrates: 6-8 g Dietary Fiber: 1-2 g Sugars: 3-4 g Sodium: 300-400 mg