National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits.
Healthy eating starts with healthy food choices. People with healthy eating patterns live longer and are at lower risk for serious health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. For people with chronic diseases, healthy eating can help manage these conditions and prevent complications.
Selecting nutrient-rich foods and beverages first is a way to make better choices within your daily eating plan. In choosing nutrient-rich foods, you’ll notice they are familiar, easy to find and represent the five basic food groups. Achieving balance and building a healthier eating pattern can be simple and low stress.
Among the basic food groups, look for:
- Brightly colored fruits and 100% fruit juice
- Vibrantly colored vegetables including potatoes
- Whole-grain, fortified and fiber-rich grain foods
- Low-fat and fat-free milk, cheese and yogurt or fortified plant-based alternatives
- Lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, soy foods such as tofu and tempeh, beans, lentils and nuts
Learn more about making healthy eating choices here.