Celebrate National Nutrition Month: Eating Right Made Easy!
Buckle up, health enthusiasts and food lovers! March has arrived, and with it comes the annual celebration of National Nutrition Month! It’s a month dedicated to nourishing both the mind and body, focusing on the importance of making informed food choices. Think of it as the Super Bowl for salads—everyone’s excited, and it’s a great time to tackle your nutrition game!
The Origins of National Nutrition Month
Originally launched as National Nutrition Week in 1973, our favorite month of food awareness expanded to a whole month by 1980, probably because people just wanted more time to chew on all that nutritional wisdom. And thank goodness! With Americans counting more calories than sheep at night, having a month to focus on nutrition couldn’t come at a better time.
Why Nutrition is No Laughing Matter
Gretel Schueller, the Health Managing Editor at US News, delivers sobering news that’s anything but funny— diet and nutrition have a significant impact on our overall health. “We’ve been evaluating diets for 15 years with a team of doctors and dieticians,” Schueller explained, adding that a whopping 80-85% of chronic diseases are influenced by what goes on our plates. So let’s put the “yum” in “nutritional yumminess”—what we eat really can be our best medicine!
A Heart-Healthy Diet: The Recipe for Success
Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in North Dakota and the entire United States? But here’s a cheesy tidbit of good news—it’s largely preventable! Schueller emphasized that “eating the right things can lower your blood cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, and help manage blood sugar levels.” You hear that? It’s time to showcase the stars of your plate!
So what exactly should be on the menu for a heart-healthy diet? Schueller recommends making plant-based foods your best buddies—vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and plant-based proteins should take center stage. Think of them as the main act at a concert while the potato chips and sodas sit in the back row.
Also, let’s not forget our dear friend fiber! Oatmeal, whole grains, and a rainbow of veggies should be your go-to sidekicks, reducing cholesterol and making you feel as light as a feather… if that feather was made of broccoli, of course. And don’t skip out on healthy fats; we want those good fats to crash the party—think avocados and olive oil!
A New Routine? You Bet!
Craig Kraft, a personal trainer from Minot, has the scoop on the addictive nature of healthy eating. “Once you get into that mode and eat real good for an extended period of time, energy levels skyrocket, and you feel better!” Kraft exclaims, making healthy living sound like the ultimate thrill ride. He adds that once you achieve that feel-good energy, it becomes hard to quit—like trying to resist the last slice of pizza at a family gathering!
Small Changes, Big Impact
With National Nutrition Month in full swing, now is the perfect time to start making small, sustainable changes to your diet—kind of like taking baby steps instead of a leap! Even minor adjustments can make a big impact on both your physical and mental health. If you want to get started, just remember: if you can’t beet ‘em, join ‘em!
So let’s roll into March with renewed zest for nutrition. Get ready to chop, slice, and dice your way to a healthier lifestyle—because a well-nourished you is the best kind of you. Stay tuned for more healthy tips, because like we always say, “lettuce eat well together!” 🥗
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