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Tag: National Nutrition Month

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Infographic with picture of fruits, vegetables and scrambled eggs. In the center it read March is National Nutrition Month. On the right it read Beyond the Table 2024 National Nutrition Month A campaign by the academy of nutrition and dietetics.

National Nutrition Month, an annual event that takes place in March, is a time for people to learn more about nutrition, the role nutrition plays in health and how to meet their personal nutrition needs. The 2024 National Nutrition Month’s theme is “Beyond the Table” which looks at the role of food production and distribution, as well as the ways in which nutritional meals may be enjoyed outside of a traditional dining setting. Below are some ways in which you can speak with your patients about the importance of nutrition. 

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is a valuable resource to share with patients interested in making changes to their current diet or those interested in receiving help from a registered nutritionist. The Academy’s website features information about food groups, food safety, fitness tips and recipes. The Find a Nutrition Expert database contains contact information for credentialed nutrition and dietetics providers and includes in-person or telehealth providers. Last, 50 Ideas to Get Involved in National Nutrition Month will encourage your patients to think about nutrition in new ways, educate their local community and test weekly meals and food groups that they may be unfamiliar with. 

Himmelfarb Library’s catalog has a wide range of educational materials related to nutrition and public health. The Nutrition Research Guide is a great resource for library books, journals and other professional information such as data and statistics. Library research guides are useful for quick reference or for locating a resource based on a specific subject. Our guides change over time as library staff locate new and relevant information, so be sure to check the guide’s homepage often for updated information. 

The GW Culinary Medicine Program offers an elective for 3rd and 4th year medical students as well as free courses (both virtual and in-person) for the general public. During the classes “participants will learn to cook healthy, delicious recipes and learn basic nutrition concepts such as building a healthy meal, eating on a budget, meal planning, and how to use leftovers.” (MD Culinary Medicine Program, n.d.) The program’s Culinary Medicine elective is offered during fall and spring semesters to third and fourth year medical students. The purpose of the elective is to provide “students the skills to teach patients how to incorporate healthy eating for the prevention and treatment of diseases by altering their diets, meal preparation and food choices.” (MD Culinary Medicine Program, n.d.) If you are interested in a hands-on approach to learning about nutrition, visit the Culinary Medicine Program’s website. 

National Nutrition Month is a great time to discuss nutrition in an inclusive and gentle way. For many people, nutrition is a difficult topic because of preconceived notions about healthy food, costs associated with a “healthy” lifestyle or anxiety surrounding food and food rules. By approaching these conversations with empathy and active listening, you can work alongside your patients to break down food stigma and slowly introduce healthy eating habits to meet nutritional needs.

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National Nutrition Month Eating Right on a Budget Food, drink & shopping tips listed are summarized in post.

This March marks the 50th anniversary of National Nutrition Month! You can celebrate by following simple steps that will help you get the most nutritional value out of your food and save some money.

Cook More, Eat Out Less

Deciding to grab dinner out after a busy day can be appealing, but it’s often cheaper and healthier to prepare your meals at home than it is to eat out. Cooking at home doesn’t have to be time-consuming or difficult - there are plenty of quick, easy, and healthy recipes to try. Do some internet searching or check out the cookbooks in Himmelfarb’s Healthy Living Collection to find healthy recipes that will get you to spend more time in your kitchen and less time eating out. Even social media accounts can be a source of recipes and inspiration in the kitchen. 

You don’t have to have chef-level skills to get in the kitchen and produce some healthy meals! Whether you’re not confident in your cooking skills or simply want to learn something new, taking a cooking class can be a fun way to spice things up in the kitchen. GW’s Culinary Medicine Program offers free, hands-on cooking classes open to the public. Virtual, hybrid, and in-person classes are available throughout the year. The next 6-week course is an in-person session (held at the Seva Teaching Kitchen) that starts on April 19, 2023! Complete the interest form to learn more.

Meal Planning & Preparation

Making a plan for your meals and snacks before you go grocery shopping is a successful strategy for saving time and money. Review the recipes you want to make during the week and create a list of ingredients you’re missing. Shopping with a list increases your chances of remembering what you need, and decreases impulse purchases. When planning your meals, consider doubling the recipe. Leftovers can be reheated and eaten later in the week, or frozen for an easy ready-made meal next month. Whether you freeze leftovers or eat them the next day, you’ve just saved time by preparing multiple meals. As a bonus, buying ingredients in bulk often saves money too.

Watch Portion Sizes

Consuming smaller portions can make a big impact on your calorie intake and how much you spend on food. Simple changes like using smaller plates, bowls, and glasses can help you keep those portion sizes reasonable. Filling half of your plate with fruits and veggies, and the other half with grains and proteins can be an easy way to ensure you’re getting a balanced meal while controlling portion sizes. 

Make Healthy Snacks

Most pre-packaged snacks, even the healthy options, aren’t cheap. Save money by making your snacks. Buying bulk tubs of yogurt or cottage cheese and dividing them into smaller containers for an easy grab-and-go option is an easy way to save money and have easy snack options. Homemade trail mix is another easy option - combine your favorite ingredients (nuts, dried fruit, pretzels, cereal), mix, and store in smaller grab-and-go containers for easy snacking. In-season fresh fruits are also a great nutritious option!

Quency Thirst with Water

Swapping out water in place of soda, energy drinks or sports drinks can be a great way to stay hydrated while saving money and reducing added calories! You’ll get to skip the added sugars for an extra health bonus! Tap water (filter it in your preferred filter pitcher if you choose) in a reusable water bottle is a great way to stay hydrated on the go.

Food Shopping Tips

Knowing where to shop can save you money. Taking advantage of store coupons (often available directly on the store's rewards websites) can save you money. Take the time to compare prices between brands and look at unit prices to determine if the cheapest price is the best deal. In-season foods are generally cheaper than out-of-season foods, but frozen produce can be a great option for out-of-season items. Focus on nutritious foods that are also low-cost to get the highest value from your grocery budget. 

Additional Resources

Interested in learning more about nutrition? Himmelfarb Library has a variety of resources available! Explore our Nutrition Research Guide to find information on nutrition reports and guidelines, links to professional associations, data and statistics resources, and websites. You’ll also find a variety of print and electronic books, nutrition journals, and databases. 

References:

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (2023). Eating right on a budget. https://www.eatright.org/-/media/files/campaigns/eatright/nnm-2023/english/tip-sheets-english/nnm_2023_eating-right-on-a-budget.pdf

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