March is National Nutrition Month, a month dedicated to encouraging us all to make informed food choices, and develop sound eating and physical activity habits.
This year’s theme is Eat Right Bite by Bite, supporting the notion that everything we do for ourselves and our health is a step in the right direction.
That even the small changes we make to support our health, all add up in a cumulative way.
If you’re looking to make some changes to your current eating plan and not sure where to start, try answering the following questions:
Does my current eating style provide me with regular meals and adequate energy to allow my body and brain to perform at its peak?
Do I get nutritious foods from all the five food groups (fruits, vegetables, dairy, protein, and grains), and, do I incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables (in all different colors), low fat dairy, lean protein, and whole grains?
Am I happy with the variety of choices I am eating?
Am I aware of the nutrition the foods I buy provide to me?
Do I allow myself adequate time to sit down and enjoy my food, paying attention to how that food makes me feel and my internal hunger cues?
Is eating with others a priority to me? Do I allow myself time to enjoy food with others, friends or family?
If you answered “no” to some of those questions, and there is one that sticks out as a priority, start there.
Now that you found your focus, focus on following through:
Make sure whatever you are working toward is truly meaningful and relevant to you at this time. Instead of focusing on what you think you should be doing, or what others think you should do, choose a goal/a change that is truly meaningful and important to you.
Put it in writing: What is it you hope to achieve? How will you achieve it? Will you reward yourself if you complete it? What will that reward be?
Plan ahead: Break your intention into smaller steps and learn the necessary skills to make it more manageable.
Track your progress, and if you choose, reward yourself for achieving certain milestones, or the ultimate goal(s) itself. This can be anything like spending time with a friend, renting a movie, giving yourself an at home spa treatment, or reading a chapter of a book you’ve been meaning to read, but never did.
Be flexible: If you slip up, just get back on track and keep moving forward. Do not let one slip be the end all, be all, to all your efforts. Revise your goal as needed.
And, remember, if you still need help, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist can help you work towards making changes that will all add up!
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