National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.
The theme for 2017 is "Put Your Best Fork Forward", which acts as a reminder that each bite counts. Making just small shifts in our food choices, can add up over time. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest starting with small changes in order to make healthier lasting changes you can enjoy.
This year's theme for National Nutrition Month inspires us to start with small changes in our eating habits -- one forkful at a time. So whether you are planning meals to prepare at home or making selections when eating out, Put Your Best Fork Forward to help find your healthy eating style.
Put Your Best Fork Forward by…
Creating an eating style that includes a variety of your favorite, healthful foods.
And remember, by making small changes over time, you can improve your health now and in the future.
Why is a variety of foods important?
A variety of foods is important, because no one food or food group provides all of the nutrients our bodies need to grow and stay healthy.
There are 6 nutrients: water, protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins and minerals. Most foods and drinks provide some or all of those, only in different amounts.
For example, bell peppers are a good source of vitamin C, whereas yogurt and cheese provide higher amounts of calcium. Nuts and seeds are good sources of minerals, like magnesium and zinc, but they also contribute protein and healthy fats. Bananas are known for being a good source of potassium. Asparagus is too, but it also provides a good amount of a B vitamin.
There is some overlap, too. For instance, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are all great sources of dietary fiber. And foods, like fish and chicken, provide protein, but fish are also good sources of heart healthy fats called omega-3s. Fatty types of fish are one of the few food sources of vitamin D.
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