22 Mar Make Informed Food Choices with Support of a New York Nutritionist

March commemorates National Nutrition Month; this year is its 50th anniversary. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics began with National Nutrition Month with the goal of helping people make “informed food choices and developing healthful eating and activity habits.”

Nutrition is a science. As we study more and learn more, it’s essential to have up-to-date, science-backed information. This generally does not come from memes, influencers, or social media.

This year’s National Nutrition Month theme is “Fuel for the Future.” It’s about eating with sustainability in mind. Here are some tips to make choices that are great for your health and great for the planet.

• Choose plant-based meals: Eating plant-based meals reduces your carbon footprint as plant-based foods require less land, water, and energy to produce. Try “meatless Mondays”, and swap out an animal protein for lentils, beans, or chickpeas. (This is also a great money saver!) Consider adopting parts (or all) of the Mediterranean Diet,
• Eat local and seasonal: Choosing locally grown produce helps reduce transportation emissions and supports local farmers. Eating seasonally also ensures that you’re eating produce when it is at its freshest and most flavorful.
• Reduce food waste: Plan meals and buy only what you need. Use up leftovers, compost food scraps, and donate excess food to food banks or shelters.
• Choose sustainably raised meat and seafood: Look for labels like “grass-fed,” “free-range,” “organic,” and “sustainably caught” when buying meat and seafood.
• Reduce packaging waste: Choose products with minimal packaging and bring your own reusable bags, containers, and utensils when shopping and eating out.
• Support sustainable agriculture: Look for labels like “fair trade” and “rainforest alliance” to support sustainable agriculture and prevent deforestation. Go to Farmer’s Markets and support local trade as well. Plus, it’s so fun to talk to the food growers and get new recipes.
• Choose organic: Organic farming practices protect soil health, reduce the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers, and support biodiversity.

By incorporating these habits into your diet, you can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect natural resources, and promote sustainable agriculture. Eating sustainably can also promote healthier lifestyles and support local economies.

Where to begin?

Don’t get overwhelmed. Make one change to your diet plan or what you put in your grocery cart. Little by little, we can all be part of “fuel for the future”.