It’s National Nutrition Month!

Along with National Nutrition Month, comes several community events marketing healthy eating. More Peas Please kicked off the month by helping support the Fuel to Be Fit 5K run benefiting a local Food Bank. Despite the cold weather, me and my little one jogged the 5K as well. He didn’t enjoy it as much as I did though. His poor little cheeks are still wind burned. 🙁 All for a good cause, right! 😉

I love this year’s theme, “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day!” Everyone is different and enjoys different foods.  Lifestyle, cultural, and health concerns all impact individual food choices. Dietitians always strive to encourage personalized healthy eating.

I think this year’s theme helps people understand that they can eat healthy without sacrificing taste. While I know people who love tofu, miso, wheatgrass, marmite, kimchee, millet, and rhubarb, I know that these foods are not for everyone. The good news: You don’t have to eat these foods to be healthy! You should consume a variety of foods in your diet, but make it a healthy variety that you like. Be adventurous and try new foods, but everyone is different. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t like a “healthy” food. Just look around the grocery store at the nearly 38,000 products on the shelves. I know you can find a variety of healthy foods that is perfect for you and your family! If you have a hard time deciphering if a product is healthy for your family, just click on Ask the Dietitian, and I can help you out.

If you are interested in more information about National Nutrition Month the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has more information of their website and also has some interactive computer games for the kids. (and adults!)