National Nutrition Month

When you prioritize nutrition, you are making the decision to protect your health - which can have lifelong and generational impacts for years to come.

Every March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics celebrates National Nutrition Month ® and promotes the importance of healthy eating and nutrition education. This year, the theme is "Discover the Power of Nutrition."

"Nutrition plays a vital role in helping both individuals and communities thrive," said Dr. Mary DiOrio, medical director for the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). "The choices we make about food and beverages can fuel our body and support overall well-being."

Nutrition Benefits

A healthy diet lowers the risk of developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and some cancers. It boosts immunity, regulates the digestive system, strengthens bones, and helps achieve and maintain a healthy weight. In addition, dietary choices impact sleep quality, energy levels, and mental clarity, which are especially important for kids inside and outside the classroom. In children, a healthy diet supports growth and development.

Knowing how nutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals) impact your body is helpful when making decisions about your diet.

• Carbohydrates energize your body.
• Protein helps build muscle and tissue.
• Vitamins and minerals boost your immune system, strengthen your bones, regulate your circulatory system, promote brain development, prevent high blood pressure, and more.
• Healthy fats provide energy and help our body absorb vitamins.

Healthy Habits

Make your diet a priority and incorporate healthy habits into your lifestyle. Simple changes can make a world of difference for you and your family.

Try to include all food groups at each meal. If you are tired of making the same vegetable, or your kids aren't a big fan of those roasted brussels sprouts, switch it up with something new! The same can be said for different whole grains, proteins, or fruits.

Little choices your family makes every day can build a lifetime of healthier habits. Start small and try to be consistent. Consider including a partner to help keep you accountable. Track your progress and most importantly, don't give up! If you "fall off the wagon," you can hop right back on.

Read food labels, being mindful of your meal and snack choices, or cook at home rather than going out to eat.

Other tips:

• Pack your lunch once a week instead of eating out.
• Include a vegetable with your dinner.
• Opt for water instead of a sugary drink.
• Skip the sugar or sweetened cream in your morning coffee (or add less sugar or cream).
• Take a short walk on your lunch break.
• Go to bed 15 minutes earlier.

"By learning practical ways to access healthy foods in your community and incorporating simple habits into your routine, you can feel your best, for now and for years to come," said Dr. DiOrio.

ODH Resources

The Ohio Department of Health offers several programs that provide resources to individuals, families, and communities on their nutrition journeys:

• The Healthy Eating, Active Living initiative aims to prevent, manage, and reduce chronic disease and injury and improve the overall health of Ohioans through promotion of healthy eating and active living across the lifespan.
• The Health Promotion program works at the state and local level throughout Ohio to implement policy, systems, and environmental changes that increase access to healthy foods and opportunities for active living.
• Healthy Food Highlights - This fact sheet provides information for both children and parents on building healthy habits.
• Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics Parenting at Mealtime and Playtime program offers nutrition education for parents of kids age 0-18 through their website and on their app.
• The ODH Ohio Healthy Programs has a resource, Bite-Sized Lessons: Eating to Grow, Learn, and Play, for early care and education programs to implement nutrition education into their curriculum, which is also applicable to parents of young children.
• The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program works to improve pregnancy outcomes through support services and healthcare referrals for eligible women; reduce infant mortality; and provide women, infants, and children with a healthy start in life by improving diets through nutrition and breastfeeding education and supplemental, healthy foods.
• ODH Breastfeeding Program works to support women and families who breastfeed. Their website contains resources to support breastfeeding.
• Ohio has a statewide, free, 24/7 breastfeeding hotline. Call (888) 588-2423 or text BFHOTLINE to (220) 201-5477 for breastfeeding support.

Additional Resources