In today’s calorie count-obsessed society, the real meaning of nutrition is often lost.  Proper nourishment means providing one’s body with the food necessary to be healthy.  In a nutshell, a nutritious meal isn’t necessarily one that’s worth only a certain amount of calories; there’s a whole lot more that goes into it.

March, which has been dubbed “National Nutrition Month,” is the perfect time of year to focus on nutrition; by February, most people have already dropped their New Year’s Resolutions to be active and healthy.  The national observance therefore serves as a reminder to stay on track with your fitness and nutrition goals.  The initiative, which is sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, is observed every year countrywide, and emphasizes the importance of healthy eating habits.

So what goes into a healthy meal?  It all starts with thinking about what goes into your plate.  According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, “Foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean protein foods contain the nutrients you need without too many calories.”

Are you confused about how much of each food group you’re meant to eat?  The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers plenty of education resources to help make it simple.  According to the organization’s “Get Your Plate in Shape” Nutrition Tip Sheet, approximately half of your plate should be filled with delicious fruits and vegetables, and about half of the grains you eat should be whole.  Only eat small portions of meat and poultry.  Seafood should make the plate at least twice a week.

As you can see, eating right is easier than it seems!  With your help, we can help get the word out there about proper nutrition and healthy eating habits.  Hand out Nutrition Awareness Month promos or explore the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ nutrition education resources to find out how you can contribute to this worthwhile cause.