The theme for this year’s National Nutrition Month is “Food Connects Us.” Food is a beautiful way that we can connect with one another through culture and community. Food can harbor many memories and traditions but can also be a source of stress due to food insecurity, or the lack of consistent access to nutritious foods.
We encourage you this month to tune into the food that nourishes your body. Consider the journey of a seed as it travels through growth and harvest to end up in a special recipe from your culture, where it is enjoyed by the people you love. By celebrating a different theme each week, you can take your own journey of discovery to see how food connects to different areas of your life.
You may be thinking, how do I connect with food? It happens in different ways. Connect with the process of ingredients becoming a meal by learning how to cook, meal prep, and food plan. Try planning your meals ahead of time and using a grocery list to shop.
Another way to connect with food is to explore where your food comes from. Consider visiting a local farmers market. Ask the farmers how food is grown and what their life is like as a farmer.
Connect with food by turning off distractions such as a smart phone or TV show when eating and focus on the food and people around you.
A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is a health professional certified to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy. To become an RDN you must have a bachelor's at an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited program, complete an ACEND accredited supervised practicum of 1000+hours, and, as of January 1, 2024, complete a master's degree before taking the credentialing exam. If you would like to meet with a nutritional professional, ask your doctor for a referral to an RDN. Find an RDN who specializes in your unique needs in order to receive personalized nutrition information to meet your health goals.
If you are unable to meet with an RDN, there are lots of ways to get accurate nutrition information. Have a Plant, MyPlate, and the American Heart Association provide nutrition tips as well as tasty recipes that feature healthy foods like fruits and veggies. The American Diabetes Association is a great resource for information and recipes for those with diabetes.
Food access resources such as SNAP, WIC and local food banks can help increase access to healthy foods for those who qualify.
Incorporate your favorite cultural foods or try new global flavors in your meals this week. Browse this collection of recipes to look for a recipe from your culture or a culture that is not your own. Experiment with recipes using different ingredients or cooking techniques.
Enjoy your meals with family or friends when possible. Spark conversation by asking questions to the person who prepared the food to learn about the tradition and culture behind the meal.
Your nutrition needs, much like your shoe and clothing sizes, change with age. To help you meet the nutritional needs of your age group, eat items from all food groups. It is important to build balanced and sustainable eating habits. A great way to do this is by eating food in various forms such as fresh, frozen, canned, and dried and looking for sales when purchasing food.
Celebrate how food connects us and cook a meal with the people you love! Chose to intentionally slow down with food. Learn to cook, eat with others, remove distractions, seek out accurate nutrition education and reap the lasting health benefits of connecting with food. Small changes over time lead to big results!