Discover the power of nutrition in March with help from Extension agents and specialists
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – University of Tennessee Extension agents and specialists are providing research-based information about healthy eating, meal planning and food preparation during National Nutrition Month in March.
National Nutrition Month, an initiative led by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, highlights the importance of good nutrition and encourages everyone to make healthful eating choices.
Kristen Johnson, associate professor of family and consumer sciences, UT Extension nutrition specialist and registered dietitian nutritionist, says everyone benefits from eating nutritious foods.
“At every stage of life, from pregnancy to older adulthood, a healthful, balanced diet helps us grow, learn, play, work and do the things we want and need to do,” she said. “There are many things that impact our health. There are some things outside of our control, like our family history and our genetics, but eating well and being physically active are two things that we can control and that can benefit us in so many ways.”
This year’s theme is “Discover the Power of Nutrition,” and Johnson provides four key messages that can help you adopt a healthful diet that you can sustain over time:
Power your day with nutrition – Choose a variety of foods from each food group. Focus on the foods that give your body the most nutrients. These include foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy foods and protein foods.
Find advice backed by science – Nutrition and health experts completed extensive training and devote their time to helping people make healthy changes that they can maintain. Nutrition experts can help you understand nutrition information and make choices that work the best for you! UT Extension is a trusted source in your community for information to help you improve your health.
Stay nourished on any budget – Choose the nutritious foods that fit your food budget and work for you and your family. Coupons, ads and sales are a good way to save money while shopping for food. Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables are full of nutrition and are often more affordable than fresh produce options. Nutrition experts can help you find ways to manage your food budget. Food pantries, food banks and nutrition assistance programs like WIC and SNAP are also important community resources that help people get enough food for themselves and their families.
Feel good with healthy habits – Eating well and being physically active can not only keep us healthy but can make us feel better. These healthy habits help our physical health and our mental and social health too! Simple tips like planning meals in advance can help take the stress out of mealtimes and make healthy eating easier.
UT Extension Family and Consumer Sciences professionals work across Tennessee to help Tennesseans of all ages learn about the importance of eating well and identify simple steps that they can take to choose healthful foods every day. Visit a UT Extension office today to learn more about stretching your food budget and planning and preparing nutritious and delicious meals.
Refer to these UT Extension publications for more information:
Meal Preparation:
The Plate Method
Added Sugars
SMART Goals
Eat Fruits and Vegetables
Healthy Protein Foods
Make Breakfast Healthy
The Nutrition Facts Label: Your Guide to Understanding the Nutrient Content of Your Food
Protein Foods for Healthy Meals and Snacks
Whole Grain Foods for Meals and Snacks
Serve Quick and Easy Meals to Feed a Family of Four for Under Five Dollars
Grocery Shopping:
Managing Your Food Budget for Savings
Meal Planning Made Easy
Grocery List Basics: Plan to Save
These publications are free to download and can be found online at utextension.tennessee.edu/publications.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach, the Institute touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. utia.tennessee.edu.