March is National Nutrition Month
By Brandy Strub, Registered Dietitian
National Nutrition Month® is celebrated every March and is sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in the United States. Every year there is a different theme and the main focus is on helping people develop good eating and exercise habits. This year’s theme is “Food Connects Us.”
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages people to “connect with food” by:
- Learning cooking, food preparation and meal planning skills,
- Exploring where their food comes from, and
- Learning more about community resources that can help with the above, or provide nutrition to those in need, such as the following:
- The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)- two nutrition education programs that offer free (income guidelines apply) nutrition classes to help Iowans access nutritious food, cook healthy meals at home, and handle food safely.
Go to https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/buy-eat-live-healthy
to learn more.
- The Women, Infant, and Children Program (WIC)- nutrition program that provides free healthy foods for pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children ages 1-5, along with breastfeeding support, nutrition education and referrals to other services. Go to https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic to learn more.
- Your local food pantry: Allamakee County Food Shelf, 1125 W. Main St. Waukon, IA 52172
563-568-3994
Open Thursday 9a.m.-Noon
They also want us to learn how “Food Connects Us”:
- To health-Following healthy eating patterns by consuming foods from each food group: fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein foods, low fat or fat-free dairy or fortified soy versions, and limiting added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium, leads to improved health outcomes.
- To our culture-Experimenting with recipes using different ingredients or cooking techniques and including your favorite cultural foods/traditions or trying new ones, helps expand our cultural diversity.
- To our family and friends-Enjoying meals with family and friends, when possible, creates memories we’ll remember forever.
- Through each stage of life-Being aware that our nutrient needs change with age.
Take some time this month and focus on what really matters: food, family & friends, and good health.
For more information or to schedule an individual nutrition consultation, please call Brandy Strub, Dietitian, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
