- March is National Nutrition Month - March 19, 2025
- National Nutrition Month - March 18, 2021
- National Diabetes Month - November 26, 2019
March is National Nutrition Month, which is a time set aside from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to highlight healthy nutrition habits. The theme this year is Food Connects Us, which highlights the connection between health, access, traditions, and food across all stages of life.
Food Connects Us through our heritage, culture, and traditions. Food Connects Us with memories, holidays and special celebrations. Making healthy food choices by learning how to cook, shop and meal plan. Learning where our food comes from and learning about community resources such as WIC and local food pantries.
Our taste for specific foods starts with our family. Our food choices are often based on our heritage and family traditions. Sharing meals with friends and family connects us with food by giving us an opportunity to gain experience about different cuisines, cultures, traditions and where our food comes from. By expanding the diversity of foods you eat, you create a more inclusive and tasteful diet.
Cooking and preparing food at home allows you to have control over ingredients, portions and how foods are prepared. This allows you to use lower cost items to make foods that fit into your own budget and health needs. Consider taking a cooking class to learn new ways to enjoy foods. Knoxville is home to The Cutting Edge Classroom that offers cooking classes.
Learn where your food comes from. Consider visiting the local farmers market to purchase local produce and support small farms. Knoxville and surrounding areas have weekly markets. Maybe even consider growing a few of your own fruits and vegetables to offset unaffordable prices. Grow different herbs and experiment with new flavors.
Food insecurity is a real thing. Greater than 13% of US households suffer from being able to provide adequate food for their families. Local food banks and organizations such as WIC can assist with filling that void. Check with local churches that help with food.
“Food Connects Us” is a way to remember why we enjoy certain foods, learn about new foods and how those foods impact our overall health and well-being.
Check out EatRight.org for more information and handouts on nutrition topics.