National Nutrition Month

National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits.

This year's theme is Beyond the Table, which addresses the farm-to-fork aspect of nutrition, from food production and distribution to navigating grocery stores and farmers markets — and even home food safety and storage practices. “Beyond the Table” also describes the various ways we eat — not only around a dinner table, but also on the go, in schools and restaurants, and at games and events. This theme also includes sustainability, for instance, decreasing food waste from school and work to home and beyond.

Weekly Messages

Week 1: Stay Nourished and Save Money

• Plan your meals and snacks.
• See what food you have at home before purchasing more.
• Use a grocery list to shop and look for sales when purchasing food.
• Learn about food access resources such as SNAP, WIC, and local food banks.
• Practice home food safety.

Week 2: See a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

• Ask your doctor for a referral to an RDN.
• Find an RDN who specializes in your unique needs, learn how nutrient needs may change with age, and 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.

Week 3: Eat a Variety of Foods From All Food Groups

• Include your favorite cultural foods and traditions.
• Eat foods in various forms such as fresh, frozen, canned, and dried.
• Experiment with recipes using different ingredients.
• Try new foods or global cuisines

Week 4: Eat with the Environment in Mind

• Get creative with leftovers and ways to reduce food waste.
• Enjoy more plant-based meals and snacks.
• Buy foods in season and from local farmers when possible.
• Grow food at home or in a community garden.

Share #NationalNutritionMonth

Share the word about National Nutrition Month with others through social media. Post your favorite recipe or cooking demo. You can find fun graphics, images, hashtags, cover photos, and more in a variety of languages in the social media toolkit.

Celebrate National Nutrition Month

Find new ways to go Beyond the Table to eat more healthfully anywhere --- and with sustainability in mind! Families, schools, offices, communities, and more… everyone is invited to celebrate food and its role in health and wellness. You’ll find delicious recipes and practical tips from registered dietitian nutritionists, here.

With so much misinformation available online, National Nutrition Month is a great time to take the MyPlate Quiz to test your nutrition knowledge and get personalized resources to help you meet your nutrition goals.

Check out Scale Back Alabama for a program that allows you to design your own goals with tips and guidelines from dietitians. The 100 Mile Challenge is a great physical activity challenge to consider during National Nutrition Month.

Access to healthy foods is the foundation of good nutrition. If you struggle to access enough nutritionally adequate food, there are resources that may be able to help. Visit Food Access Resources for more information.

To get everyone involved, check out these 50 Ways to Celebrate what you have learned this month.