National Nutrition Month®

Mar 01, 2019

By Bailey Larson, Dietetic Intern

Happy National Nutrition Month®!

We celebrate by encouraging people to understand the importance of evidenced-based healthy eating patterns and physical activity. There are many ways to improve health and well-being. Small improvements in your nutrition and daily activity can add up!

Improve Your Health for a Better Future

Eating the recommended amounts of each food group can positively affect our health. Research has shown there is an association between healthy eating patterns and a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. Particularly, a diet higher in fruits and vegetables has been shown to decrease the risk of developing numerous chronic diseases.

Make MyPlate Your Plate

A foundational tool for healthful eating is MyPlate. In MyPlate, the five food groups and the relative proportion of each food group is depicted. By following the MyPlate guidelines, building a balanced meal with nutrient dense foods can be easy. Check out ChooseMyplate.gov to get more information!

Focus on Fruits & Veggies

Nutrition needs vary with each individual depending on gender, age, and activity level. For fruits and vegetables, everyone should aim to get the following:

1 ½ to 3 cups of vegetables per day
1 to 2 cups of fruit per day

Try to make half of your plate fruits and vegetables at each meal!

Get Moving

Healthy eating patterns and physical activity go hand-in-hand. Health benefits can be seen from just 5 minutes of physical activity! Through regularly moving your body, you can reduce blood pressure, improve mood and energy, and enhance concentration. For adults, aim for 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity every week. Don’t forget to include muscle strengthening activities a couple times a week as well.

Find an Expert

If you are in need of individualized nutrition recommendations, seek out a local registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). To find an RDN near you, head to eatright.org.