Nutrition Check: National Nutrition Month

By Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RD and Rayonna Hills BS
mail@floridanewsline.com

March is National Nutrition Month, which is when it is important to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. As part of this month’s celebration, a goal is to increase the awareness of RDNs as the indispensable providers for food and nutrition services and recognize their commitment to helping people lead happy, healthier lives. In light of this month being about celebrating nutrition and working towards improved eating habits, I thought we could go over a couple of inclusive, supportive eating habits.

1. Develop a mindful eating pattern: Mindful eating is an approach that focuses on an individual’s sensual awareness of the food and their experience of the food. Ways this can be achieved is:

• Pay attention to food you eat to include balance, moderation, and variety
• Eat slowly to enjoy the food’s taste and flavors
• Listen to your body’s signals of fullness and hunger

2. Enjoy food traditions and social experiences: 

• Be creative when eating, try a new dish or cuisine to explore different taste and textures
• Be open to cultural traditions while eating 
• Pair eating with socialization with friends, family, or others

3. Appreciate foods’ flavors:

• Savor each bite of your food
• Eat slowly, one bite at a time
• Try new flavors and experiment with diverse spices and seasonings

This month, step out of your comfort zone and try something new when it comes to how you eat and what you eat. The tips listed above are just a few ways that you can incorporate new ideas into your food culture. If you are ever unsure or would like to know more ways to improve your diet, do not hesitate to consult a registered dietitian nutritionist (RD/RDN). Visit www.eatright.org/find-a-nutrition-expert to find a nutrition expert. 

Kristen Hicks-Roof PhD, RDN, LDN, CLC, FAND is an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida.