“National Nutrition Month® 2018
National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.
“Go Further with Food” is the theme for 2018, and its importance is timely for many reasons. Whether it’s starting the day off right with a healthy breakfast or fueling before an athletic event, the foods you choose can make a real difference. Preparing your foods to go further, by planning meals and snacks in advance can also help to reduce food loss and waste. This year’s theme for National Nutrition Month® encourages us to achieve the numerous benefits healthy eating habits offer, but it also urges us to find ways to cut back on food waste. Learning how to manage food resources at home will help you “Go Further with Food”, while saving both nutrients and money.
Key Messages:
- Include a variety of healthful foods from all of the food groups on a regular basis.
- Consider the foods you have on hand before buying more at the store.
- Buy only the amount that can be eaten or frozen within a few days and plan ways to use leftovers later in the week.
- Be mindful of portion sizes. Eat and drink the amount that’s right for you, as MyPlate encourages us to do.
- Continue to use good food safety practices.
- Find activities that you enjoy and be physically active most days of the week.
- Realize the benefits of healthy eating by consulting with a registered dietitian nutritionist. RDNs can provide sound, easy-to-follow personalized nutrition advice to meet your lifestyle, preferences and health-related needs.” Source: https://www.eatright.org/food/resources/national-nutrition-month/national-nutrition-month-celebration-toolkit
Nutrition is one of the leading lifestyle factors in disease prevention and health promotion. Registered Dietitians provide nutrition therapy by applying our science and medical background into practical and applicable ways for people to improve their nutrition status. We are highly qualified food and nutrition experts who have met the academic and professional requirements, which include earning at least a bachelor’s degree, completing a supervised practiced program, and passing a national registration exam. In addition, continuing education is a requirement in order to keep our registration active.
Registered Dietitians offer a wide variety of knowledge and experience in various settings from clinical, community, media, and public policy. The RD can provide the patient or client with a confident, accurate, and credible information.
Many states have licensure laws that require certain qualifications to be able to practice medical nutrition therapy. South Dakota does have a licensure law and requires all Registered Dietitians to be licensed with the state. The initials “LN” indicate Licensed Nutritionist behind my name. Credentials are essential for ensuring you are getting safe, accurate, and science-based nutrition information.
RDs often get a bad rap for being the so-called “food police” but in reality, we’re just here to help you learn how to make healthy choices to help you be healthy and aid in disease prevention. We can create individualized plans and approaches to improving nutrition that fit you and your lifestyle!! I am thankful I get to practice my skills and passion in a great community like Watertown!I have really enjoyed working with you all and I look forward to continuing to share my passion for nutrition with you all in the years to come!
Happy RD Day! Be sure to eat an extra serving of fruit or veggies to celebrate the field of nutrition today! 😉
-Kelsey Raml, MS, RD, LN
