Published March 8, 2019
March marks the beginning of National Nutrition Month! National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It is celebrated every March with the goal to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthy eating and lifestyle habits. Here at Gourmet Gorilla, we strive to promote healthy eating year-round, so we are quite excited to participate on a national level to promote a healthy lifestyle with this campaign. Our Registered Dieticians on staff work hard all year to come up with programming and menu items that make healthy eating delicious, fun, and most importantly long-term. Our goal is to change the way our students see healthy eating; not as a burden, but as something that can feel and taste great. The more likely children and teens are to eat fruit and vegetables, the more likely they are to carry that into adulthood.
While embracing National Nutrition Month and switching over to healthier eating habits this March is great, we also encourage you to take this time to move towards making permanent changes that can benefit both you and your family. Not sure where to begin? Check out the following nutrition and health tips from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Health Tips for 2019
Eat Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially for students! Start your morning off with a healthy breakfast that includes lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Make Half Your Plate Fruits and Vegetables
50 is the magic number when it comes to your lunch plate! Always be sure that 50% of your plate is filled with fruits and veggies. These add color, flavor, and texture to your plate! Experiment with different types such as frozen, fresh, or canned to find your favorite!
Be Active
Regular physical activity has many health benefits. Children and teens should get 60 or more minutes of physical activity per day. Don’t have time to go to the gym? Go on a walk as a family or play a game of catch or basketball.
Get to Know Food Labels
Reading the Nutrition Facts on food packaging can help you shop, eat, or drink smarter. Not sure what ingredients to watch out for? Here is a guide than can help walk you through the good, the bad, and the ugly ingredients.
Drink More Water
Feeling dehydrated? Shockingly enough, if you’re feeling thirsty, that means your body is not getting enough water. Aim for 8 8 oz glasses per day. It can be tricky to remember to be drinking water, especially because when you’re hydrated, you may not be feeling thirsty. To be sure you’re drinking enough, always carry a water bottle around with you at school or work. There are also plenty of apps that can set an alert to let you know to take a sip! Try Daily Water or Hydra Coach!
Explore New Foods and Flavors
It’s always good to expand your flavor horizons! Next time you go shopping, try picking up a new fruit, vegetable, or whole grain for you and your family to try.
National Nutrition Month is a great time to make healthy changes, but it is also important to think of a way to make these small changes long-term goals. Work together with your family to come up with ways to incorporate some of these health tips into the rest of 2019! For more information and some great handouts, check out FoodandHealth.com
