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March Is National Nutrition Month: Develop Better Eating
Habits
Special to The Truth
Have your healthy New
Year’s habits already begun to fade? Recharge your
resolutions in March during National Nutrition Month and
remember the importance of developing and following sound
eating habits.
The 2016 National
Nutrition Month theme, “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right,”
encourages you to take time to enjoy food traditions and
appreciate the pleasures, great flavors and social
experiences that food can add to life.
“Food nourishes the body
and provides necessary fuel to help you thrive and fight
disease,” says registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy
of Nutrition and Dietetics spokesperson, Kristen Gradney.
“In addition to providing nourishment, food is also a source
of pleasure and enjoyment. Take time to enjoy healthy foods
and all the happiness they bring to your life.”
Gradney offers a few ways
you can “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right” this National
Nutrition Month:
• Enjoy Food Traditions
and Social Experiences: There is an obvious social component
to food. Whether it’s a nightly family dinner, a special
occasion or social gathering, food often plays a central
role. Enjoy the food at these gatherings while also taking
time to appreciate the company around you.
Research indicates that
family meals promote healthier eating and strengthens family
relationships.
• Appreciate Foods’
Pleasures and Flavors: Take time to appreciate the flavors,
textures and overall eating experience. In today’s busy
world, we often eat quickly and mindlessly. Instead, savor
your food, eating slowly one bite at a time to focus on the
different flavors and textures. Stop and take time in
between bites.
Eating slowly not only
allows you to enjoy your food, but it also can help you eat
less by giving your stomach time to tell your brain you are
full.
• Develop a Mindful Eating
Pattern: How, when, why and where you eat, are just as
important as what you eat. Think about where you eat the
majority of your meals. Do you eat lunch at your desk or
dinner in front of the television?
Instead of multitasking
through meals, take a few minutes out of your busy schedule
to find a nice place to mindfully eat.
• Consult a Registered
Dietitian Nutritionist: A healthy lifestyle is much more
than choosing to eat more fruits and vegetables. It’s also
essential to make informed food choices based on your
individual health and nutrient needs.
A registered dietitian
nutritionist (RDN) can educate you and guide your food
choices while keeping your tastes and preferences in mind.
RDNs are able to separate facts from fads and translate
nutritional science into information you can use. Find an
RDN in your area by visiting the Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics site at www.eatright.org. The site also contains
articles, recipes, videos and educational resources. Follow
National Nutrition Month on Facebook and Twitter using the #NationalNutritionMonth
hashtag.
By taking the time to
enjoy what you eat, you can develop a healthier relationship
with food.
Courtesy StatePoint
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