What is National Nutrition Month?
Each year during March, Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) celebrate National Nutrition Month by promoting the importance of making informed food choices while developing both sound eating and physical activity habits.
This year, the theme of National Nutrition Month is “Fuel for the Future”. The theme is based on the idea that eating well and taking care of our body can give us a better, heathier body in the present as well as the future. Our future health is dependent on our present nutrition in many ways. That is why it is important to make good nutritional choices daily and not wait for our bodies to start to break down and force us to make better choices.
Healthier diet, healthier future
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been scientifically proven to provide numerous health benefits, such as reducing your risk of several chronic diseases and keeping your body healthy. However, making major changes to your diet can sometimes seem very overwhelming.
Instead of making big changes, it may be better to start with a few smaller ones. And it’s likely more manageable to start with just one thing, rather than all of them at once.
Small steps toward big changes
1. Choose water. Many studies have shown that drinking water can increase weight loss and promote weight maintenance. Additionally, drinking water before meals can reduce your appetite and make you feel full faster. Most importantly, choosing water instead of soda or juice helps to decrease sugar and calorie intake.
2. Change your fast-food restaurant of choice. Eating out doesn’t have to be unhealthy. Look for fast food options with healthier choices than burgers, fried chicken, or pizza.
3. Try one new, healthy recipe per week. Deciding what to make for dinner can be frustrating and cause many of us to rely too much on tried-and-true recipes that are simple and quick. Trying something new can be a fun way to add more diversity to your family’s diet. It can also improve your nutrient intake and get your out of a rut.
4. Choose whole grains. Refined grains (i.e., white flour) have been associated with many health issues. Whole grains, on the other hand, have been linked to health benefits such as a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.1 They are also a good source of fiber, B vitamins, and minerals such as zinc, iron, magnesium, and manganese. (Make sure to check the label for whole grains and not a mixture of whole and refined grains.)
5. Skip ultra-processed foods. These are foods that contain ingredients that are significantly modified from their original form. They contain additives like added sugar, highly refined oil, salt, artificial sweeteners, and flavors. Studies show that these foods can contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, as well as other chronic conditions.2 These foods are generally high in empty calories and low in fiber, protein, and nutrients.
6. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Fruits and veggies are loaded with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Studies show that people who eat plenty fruits and vegetables tend to live longer and have a lower risk of heart disease, obesity, and other illnesses.3 Go for color and variety—dark green, yellow, orange, and red.
If you’d like to speak to a trusted professional about how nutrition can affect your life today and, in the future, contact the highly trained professionals at IntuneHealth. At IntuneHealth, we provide proactive, preventative care designed to keep you healthy. IntuneHealth takes the hassle out of health care by giving you direct access to your primary care physician, a personal care team coordinating all aspects of your care, and an all-in-one app to manage your health. With virtual, in-office, and in-home appointments, access to care is conveniently available when and where you need it. Schedule an appointment today to meet your new partner in health.
A new approach to primary care for those with a Medicare Advantage plan.
(239) 790-1122 | IntuneHealth.com
11600 Gladiolus Drive, Suite C17
Fort Myers, FL 33908
1. Bjarnadottir, A. (2017) 25 simple tips to make your diet healthier,
Healthline. Healthline Media. Available at:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/healthy-eating-tips.
2. Gunnars, K. (2022) 28 health and nutrition tips that are actually
evidence-based, Healthline. Healthline Media. Available at:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/27-health-and-nutrition-tips.
3. Staff, A. (2017) PLATE POWER – 10 tips for Healthy Eating, The
Nutrition Source. Available at: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/
nutritionsource/2013/11/06/healthy-eating-ten-nutrition-tips-for-
eating-right/ .