National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The campaign solely focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. This year’s theme is Savor the Flavor of Eating Right, which encourages everyone to take time to enjoy food traditions and appreciate the pleasures, great flavors and social experiences food can add to our lives.
How, when, why and where we eat are just as important as what we eat. Develop a mindful eating pattern that includes nutritious and flavorful foods, that’s the best way to savor the flavor of eating right!
Tip 1: Savor the Flavor with Less Sodium! Be sure to read the food label of all food products before purchasing. Make a comparison of the amount of sodium in all of your food products and choose the one with less sodium!
Tip 2: Savor the Flavor with Herbs and Spices! Herbs grow in temperature climate and are the fragrant leaves of plants. Examples of herbs are products such as basil and oregano. Spices grow in tropical areas and come from the bark, buds, fruit, roots, seeds, and stems of plants and trees. Examples of spices would be products such as cumin and paprika.
Both herbs and spices are great ways to enhance and savor the flavor of whatever you may be preparing!
So, for the month of March, try to use less sodium and more herbs and spices for a flavorful taste and healthful benefits!
For more information, please visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org.
Brittney J. Seay is the LSU AgCenter assistant area nutrition agent and EFNEP supervisor for Madison, Richland, East and West Carroll parishes.