By Vi Lam
January 2024 | 2024 Winter Newsletter
Beginning in 1973, National Nutrition Month is celebrated every year in March. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics started this annual campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of nutrition and healthy diets.
Nutrition is important at every stage of life; it is never too early or too late to adopt a healthy diet. Having knowledge on what we put in our bodies can lead to a healthier lifestyle and help maintain wellbeing. Our bodies need a balance of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and proteins to work properly.
Poor nutrition can lead to various health issues, such as obesity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly $173 billion per year is spent on healthcare for obesity in the United States.
In children, a nutritious diet can reduce the risk of developing some chronic diseases, such as diabetes, and encourages strong bones and healthy organs as they grow. For adults, a healthy diet can increase life span, lower the risk of obesity, heart disease, stroke, Type 2 Diabetes, certain cancers, and help manage chronic conditions.
When possible, meals should incorporate fruits, grains, vegetables, and proteins. If dairy products are part of the meal, choose low fat or fat free options. When planning for your nutritional needs, keep in mind your age, sex, height, weight, and physical activity, as these factors can vary widely from person to person.
Eating nutritiously doesn’t have to be expensive. There are many budget-friendly food ideas and guides to food groups to discover on myplate.gov. Start March off by learning how to make informed food choices and how to develop healthy eating and physical activity habits for a healthier you.