5 ways to celebrate National Nutrition Month

One size does not fit all when it comes to healthy eating, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is supporting those differences in its campaign for National Nutrition Month 2019. This year, flexibility is the theme, allowing dietitians, foodservice directors, chefs and other health professionals to tailor the celebration to their audience. The Academy’s simple, universal goal can apply to any operator: to increase the public’s awareness of the importance of good nutrition. Here are five ideas in action for sharing that message.

Throughout March, Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., is partnering with its foodservice provider, Compass Group North America, to offer resources and programs for students that promote healthy food choices. But taste is central to the promotion, which focuses on the message “find your flavor.”

“Our goal is to have students slow down and focus on the flavor of food,” campus dietitian Lisa Carlson told a reporter for The Daily Northwestern. “One way to do this is to set aside your phone during meals and engage in mindful or intuitive eating instead of distracted dining.” To further engage students, the university is planning activities such as a nutrition Jeopardy game, “guess that herb” food samplings, smoothie bikes and a menu of “find your flavor” dishes in the dining halls.

The Student Dietetic Association at Auburn University in Alabama is capitalizing on National Nutrition Month to build awareness for food insecurity. The organization is holding a “Trash Hunger” canned food drive, collecting donations for the campus and local food banks throughout March.

Contract feeder Sodexo is rallying around the slogan “Step Up to the Plate” to promote the goal of a healthy mind, body and soul. Sodexo dietitians at locations across the country are planning activities centered around this theme to reach clients, patients and employees. In Jacksonville Beach, Fla., Baptist Medical Center Beaches partnered with a local produce farmer to host a Farmers Market Day, offering reasonably priced, local produce for purchase. Dietitians also treated hospital staff to samples of green smoothies.
 

Dietitians at Owensboro Health, a regional medical center in Owensboro, Ky., are setting aside Tuesdays in March to provide healthy recipes and tastings, as well as nutrition information, to the public. A major goal of National Nutrition Month is to publicize registered dietitians as the nutrition authorities, so Kelci Murphy and Shelby Shelby, Owensboro’s dietitians, will be on hand to answer questions from participants.

The Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Hines, Ill., is organizing a program to teach veterans how to navigate restaurant menus to find healthy, lower-cost choices. Dietetic personnel are holding a one-day event called “Budget Friendly Healthy Options When Eating Out,” providing practical takeaways for participants.