Evaluate Your Diet and Exercise Habits During National Nutrition Month

In March, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is joining with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to encourage Michiganders to focus on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits during National Nutrition Month.

"National Nutrition Month is a time to celebrate the fact that what we eat matters and good nutrition is important for one's entire lifetime," says Tara Fischer, MS, RD, Nutrition Consultant with the State of Michigan WIC Program. "Everyone can benefit from healthy eating patterns and can play a role in supporting others to eat healthy too, whether at home, school, work or in the community."

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a nutrition program that helps families remain healthy during important times of growth and development. WIC provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to other community programs that support families' health and well-being. WIC serves income-eligible pregnant and postpartum people, infants, and children under five. During National Nutrition Month, the Michigan WIC Program encourages everyone to eat a variety of foods from the different food groups and buy local to support Michigan's strong agriculture and farming heritage.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics began to observe March as National Nutrition Month in 1980. This year, the theme for this observance is Beyond the Table, which focuses on the farm-to-fork aspect of nutrition, from food production and distribution to navigating grocery stores and farmers markets. The focus is also on how we eat-not only around the dinner table, but on the go, in schools, restaurants, and at events. Fischer adds, "Eating on the go-at games and events hits close to home. With active kids, finding and remembering to pack a variety of snacks can be hard when we're on the go. But with a little advanced planning, I can usually find something in our fridge that can work. Throwing together some snacks that include at least a couple of food groups is always a good idea, like vegetables and hummus, a handful of nuts, string cheese, fruit, or milk." For those families who struggle financially, Fischer says there are numerous resources available and include the WIC Program, the SNAP Program, food pantries, farmers market nutrition program, and more. Call 211 or visit https://mi211.org/.

"It's never too late to adopt a healthier lifestyle by making better food and activity choices," says Fischer. "Break down your daily routine and identify where you may be able to improve. Start small and celebrate successes. Work at making small changes routing before adding more. Just getting out for a quick walk at lunch or in the evening as a family can make a big difference in your day, it will likely even give you more energy and you can start building from there."

To find out more about WIC go to http://www.michigan.gov/wic.