Every March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics works with nutrition professionals to focus attention on making informed choices. How do you answer these questions?

Yes or No: Do you include a variety of healthful foods from all of the food groups on a regular basis?
Yes or No: Do you select more healthful options when eating away from home?

Yes or No: Are you mindful of portion sizes?

Yes or No: Do you help reduce food waste by considering the foods you have on hand before buying more at the store?

Yes or No: Do you make food safety part of your everyday routine?

Yes or No: Do you do physical activities that you enjoy?

Yes or No: Are you physically active most days of the week?

Consider these tips:

• Explore new foods and flavors. When shopping, select a fruit, vegetable or whole grain that’s new to you or your family. Try different versions of familiar foods such as blue potatoes, red leaf lettuce or basmati rice.

• Get the most nutrition out of your calories. Choose the most nutritionally rich foods you can from each food group each day – those packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients but lower in calories. Use added salt, sugars and fats sparingly.
• Get cooking.Cooking at home can be healthful, rewarding and cost-effective. Try new recipes and incorporate the best of them into your favorite meals.

• Enact family mealtime. Research shows that family meals promote more healthful eating. If you have children or grandchildren, involve them in meal planning and cooking, and use this time to talk about healthful foods.

Visit www.ag.ndsu.edu/food for numerous recipes and healthful eating tips.

Reference: National Nutrition Month; Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, www.eatright.org

By Julie Garden-Robinson, Food and Nutrition Specialist