- Mar 7, 2017

National Nutrition Month® 2017: Put Your Best Fork Forward

Updated: Jul 7, 2020

Every March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics celebrates National Nutrition Month®. This year, the theme is Put Your Best Fork Forward, reminding us all that each forkful counts, and every small change matters.

Make sure to include a variety of healthy foods in your daily diet. Eat all of the food groups, and vary what you’re consuming from within those different food groups. Switching things up keeps healthy eating from getting boring and monotonous.

Try cooking at home with new healthy ingredients. Here are some ideas to try:

Try a vegetable you've never had before. Go here to find out what’s in season.
Crumble up extra firm tofu with your hands and add to homemade or jarred pasta sauce to make your own “meatless meat sauce”. Make sure to get the moisture out of the tofu first by wrapping it with a clean towel and then putting a heavy object on top.
Try cooking whole grain pasta for the first time. If it doesn’t go over well, try white pasta with added fiber or the Dreamfields brand.
Purchase fresh or frozen shelled edamame (soybeans). You can add them to a salad or stir-fry or enjoy them with a little drizzle of low-sodium soy sauce and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Have a stay-at-home date night and make a new recipe. The American Diabetes Association, MyPlate Kitchen and the American Heart Association all have some great free recipes to choose from.

Are you struggling with your weight or a chronic health condition like diabetes or heart disease? Contact a Registered Dietitian. We’re here to help! Click here to find one in your area.

So what small changes are you working on? Remember, to be successful, set SMART goals that are achievable. Don’t work on more than three goals at a time as this can be a lot to balance.