March: National Nutrition Month

I’m back. Did you miss me?

It’s been a crazy two weeks let me tell you. Moving half-way across country is not easy! A week without furniture, and a 17+ hour car ride (with a crying cat none the less because I could not get him to take his chill out medicine!) But we made it. Slowly getting settled in – finally have a couch to sit on, that’s exciting!

You know what else is exciting? I was on TV! Yup, little ole me, on TV. I had my reservations, but I did it and I am so glad I did. What a great (and nerve racking) experience let me tell you. Did you see it? No? No worries you can watch it here. But this brings me to the other exciting news, it’s National Nutrition Month^®  Yup, a whole month devoted to teaching the basics of healthy lifestyle choices. And this is why I was on TV – to talk about this and what it’s all about.

So what is it all about? Well, each year the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages Americans to return to the basics of healthy eating by promoting National Nutrition Month^®  And a new theme is picked every year. This year’s theme is “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right.”

I have to say, I really like this year’s theme. Why you ask? Well, because the purpose is to teach us that how, when, why and where we eat are just as important as what we eat. It encourages you to develop a mindful eating pattern by including nutritious and flavorful foods while also taking the time to enjoy the experience. I mean, come on, when was the last time you really took time to enjoy your food?

So this month, I am going to help promote this idea and hopefully teach you the basics of mindful eating. Maybe you didn’t realize that developing an overall healthy eating pattern includes enjoying food traditions, the flavors of foods and the social experiences food can add to our lives. Hopefully I can teach you a thing or two.

In the meantime, I leave you with a few thoughts to think about:

• Enjoy Food Traditions and Social Experiences: Food often plays a major role in holidays and social gatherings.
• Appreciate Food Pleasures: In today’s world, most of us eat quickly and mindlessly. Slow down.
• Develop a Mindful Eating Pattern: Take a few minutes to enjoy your meals without multitasking.
• Consult a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist: They can help you make informed food choices while keeping your tastes and preferences in mind.

Have you heard about mindful eating?