Celebrate National Nutrition Month: How Food Connects Us All – Insights from the Tulsa Health Department

Every March, we celebrate National Nutrition Month®, a campaign started by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It began in 1973 as National Nutrition Week and became a whole month in 1980 because more people were interested in nutrition. This month is all about making smart food choices and building healthy eating and exercise habits.

This year’s theme is “Food Connects Us.” Food has a special way of bringing people together. It ties us to our cultures, families, and friends. Sharing meals creates moments to learn about the dishes we enjoy, who cooked them, and where the ingredients come from. Our experiences with food are influenced by our health, memories, traditions, the seasons, and what we can access.

Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are experts in food and nutrition who help people lead healthier lives. They provide guidance on medical nutrition therapy and explain how our diets impact our health. Programs like Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) employ RDNs to offer nutrition education and help families get food benefits for healthy items like milk, fruits, and veggies.

Connecting with food can happen in many simple ways. Try cooking your own meals to learn about the ingredients. Knowing where they come from can make your meals more meaningful. If you’re on a budget, planning your meals can help you eat well without overspending.

Here are some easy tips to connect with food:

• Make a grocery list before shopping and look for sales. Fresh, less processed foods often cost less.
• Learn about local resources for healthy foods, such as SNAP, WIC, or food banks.
• Check out farmers’ markets to understand how your food is grown or consider starting a small garden at home. Cooking at home allows you to control what’s in your meals, making it easier to foster healthy eating habits for children and teens.

Another way to connect with food is to explore its cultural background. Every dish has a story, whether it’s traditional or new to you. Learning about how food is prepared can deepen your appreciation and may connect you to the person who made it.

Your nutritional needs change throughout life. Here are a few things to consider:

• Getting enough calcium from a young age can help keep your bones strong as you age.
• Folate is crucial, especially for women who might become pregnant, as it can lower health risks for babies.
• While athletes often focus on protein, older adults should also pay attention to this nutrient to maintain muscle mass.

For most people, it’s best to get nutrients from food rather than supplements. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy can help everyone meet their nutritional needs.

Source: Food, Nutrition and Health Tips from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics