The National Nutrition Month® is a federally registered service mark of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy). It is celebrated yearly in March by the Academy and by all those that support the Academy.
The theme of the 2023 National Nutrition Month® campaign is “Fuel for the Future.” The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages consumers to fuel for the future when planning meals and snacks. As part of National Nutrition Month®, the Academy’s website hosts resources to spread the Academy’s messages.
Some of this year’s core team messages are:
1. Plan meals around Produce
Adding produce to your diet plan not only benefits health but the planet as well. Eat in a healthy and environmentally friendly way such as:
- Choose plant-based meals and snacks.
- Add more non-meat protein such as beans, tofu, and nuts.
- Have a meatless meal once a week.
- Incorporate a variety of seafood into your meal plan,
- Fill half of your plate with vegetables and fruits and 1/4 with high fiber grains and starchy vegetables.
Plant-based eating can boost your immune system, manage weight and decrease risk of certain chronic diseases. Besides health benefits, plant-based eating can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation.
2. Shop in Season and Local
A farm stand or farmer’s market is a great place to find healthy, fresh fruit and vegetables when in season. When not in season, substitute dried fruits and vegetables, fresh, frozen, canned will also be nutritious.
Here is a small seasonal list of crops to look out for a farmer markets and organic produce stores in New York region. Click here for a full New York crop seasonal list or click here for the New York crop seasonal calendar.
Some New York Seasonal Produce Availability:
Spring/Summer
Stinging Nettles, Spring
Strawberries, June
Zucchini Blossoms, June and July
Fiddleheads, April and May
Asparagus, May and June
Fava Beans, May and June
Spring Onions, May and June
Mint, Spring through Summer
Morels, Spring
Pea Greens, April through June
Rhubarb, May through July
Garlic Scapes/Green Garlic, May and June
Mushrooms (wild), Spring through Gall
New Potatoes, May
Cherries, July
Blueberries, July and August
Corn, June through August
Currants, August
Summer into Fall
Apples, July through October (cold storage until spring)
Basil, July through September
Cucumbers, July through October
Eggplant, July through October
Broccoli Raab, August through November
Cantaloupes, August and September
Carrots, June through September (local harvest available from storage through March)
Squash (summer), July through September
Fall/Winter
Grapes, September and October
Cranberries, October through December
Year-round
Garlic, July through October (stored year-round)
Mushrooms, (cultivated), year-round
3. Start your own Garden
Consider growing your own food in containers or a backyard plot. Tending to a home garden can:
- Give you access to fresh food
- Help ease stress and anxiety
- Increase your physical activity
- Decrease your carbon footprint
You’ll use less plastic packaging and can compost your scraps.
4. Visiting a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics was founded in 1917 in Cleveland, Ohio by a visionary group of women dedicated to helping the government conserve food and improve the public’s health and nutrition during World War I. Today, the Academy represents more than 112,000 credentialed practitioners — registered dietitian nutritionists, nutrition and dietetics technicians, registered, and other food and nutrition professionals holding undergraduate and advanced degrees in nutrition and dietetics, and students.
It is the world’s largest organization of nutrition and dietetics practitioners committed to improving health and advancing the profession of nutrition and dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Interested in finding a registered dietitian nutritionist near you? Visit the Academy’s Find a Nutrition Expert directory.
About the Author
Kim Bunn-Minsky, RDN,CDN
Director of Sales and Marketing at Pro-Tek of NY
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-bunn-minsky-rdn-cdn-284b056b/
Phone: 917-361-3318
Find out about PRO-TEK’s preventative commercial kitchen equipment maintenance programs or visit www.protekny.com PRO-TEK’s licensed technicians serve the Long Island, New York City, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Westchester, New Jersey (NJ) and Southern Connecticut (CT) areas. Call us today at (866) 773-7717 for a Free No-Obligation Consultation or Contact us via our Contact form.
Disclaimer: Keep in mind that all information in this article is for general information purposes only and not as legal or regulatory advice. This article does not constitute legal or other professional advice, and no attorney-client or other relationship is created hereby. Do not consider the above to be a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney licensed in your state or for obtaining regulatory advice regarding local or other regulatory requirements that apply to your facility. Significant local variances may apply to your facility, and requirements may change over time. This article is current as of its publication date and will not be updated for changes in law or regulations.
*Note: Some excerpts were taken from:
https://www.eatright.org/national-nutrition-month-2023
https://www.eatright.org
https://www.eatright.org/find-a-nutrition-expert
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-eating-plate/
https://www.thespruceeats.com/new-york-seasonal-fruits-and-vegetables-2217192
https://agriculture.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2019/03/harvestchart2016english.pdf
https://www.nutrition.va.gov/National-Nutrition-Month.asp