How to Eat Healthy With Plenty of Flavor
March is National Nutrition Month®!
This year, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics presents the theme: Celebrate a World of Flavors.[1]
The flavors in food and enjoying meals with others are what make eating fun! Exploring new foods and flavors does more than improve the experience of eating. It helps you get more variety in your diet, which is important for balanced nutrition![1]
Try these tips to keep your diet full of healthy foods and flavors.
Try different foods: Adding new foods and flavors to your diet is a fun and easy way to get more variety in your diet. Focusing on specific nutrients can be overwhelming, but celebrating different flavors makes healthy eating fun — and tasty![1]
Pay attention to portions: Tracking what you eat throughout the day is a great way to be aware of what you’re eating and how much. At meals, it can be helpful to dish out the right amount of food for you before you take the first bite.[2]
Look for sneaky fat, sugar, and sodium: Knowing what’s in your food is how to have flavorful meals while staying on track with your nutrition goals. Extra fat, sugar, and sodium often hides in processed foods. When you reach for something that comes from a package — like breads, dressings, sauces, and spices — check the nutrition label for fat, sugar, and sodium content.[3]
Plan ahead: Planning what you’ll eat doesn’t mean limiting your options. It gives you more freedom to both enjoy food and stick to your goals! For eating at home, find a healthy recipe that will make the meal fun. Before going to a restaurant, view the menu online and choose what to order before you get there. Take the pressure off healthy eating with a little planning.[1]
Notice where your diet could benefit from more variety. Look at the portions and ingredients in your food. Even just one day of paying attention to what you eat gives you plenty of information! Celebrate healthy nutrition this month by exploring what you eat and trying something new.
It’s important to eat in a way that works for your body, lifestyle, and goals. Always check with your doctor or licensed healthcare professional before making changes to your diet.
National Nutrition Month® — Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
What is a Serving? — American Heart Association
Understanding Ingredients on Food Labels — American Heart Association