Commissioner Howard proclaims March as National Nutrition Month® in Carroll County

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. In addition to National Nutrition Month®, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day, celebrated on March 12th this year, increases awareness of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDs or RDNs) as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and recognizes them for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives.

Back in January, I had reached out to Commissioner Doug Howard to request a proclamation to declare March as National Nutrition Month® in Carroll County. Commissioner Howard understood the importance of raising nutrition awareness during National Nutrition Month, and he happily agreed to this request. Yesterday, on Tuesday, March 4th, Commissioner Howard came to MARTIN’S in Eldersburg to present me with this proclamation and to learn more about the In-Store Nutritionist program at MARTIN’S.

The theme for National Nutrition Month® this year is “Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right.” Eating healthy doesn’t mean that taste goes out the window. Taste is the most influential factor driving what we eat day after day. So why not make healthy food taste delicious? Here are some tips from each food group:

Fruit – Add bananas to an almond butter sandwich on whole wheat bread with a touch of cinnamon

Vegetable- Make kale chips in the oven and flavor them however you like; my favorite is a combination of cumin and chili powder

Whole Grains – Use whole grain cereal as a crunchy coating on chicken or any other protein

Dairy – Mix honey and fresh mint into non-fat plain Greek yogurt and freeze it for a delicious, frozen treat.

Protein- Stir canned tuna into whole wheat pasta salad with chopped up fresh vegetables and tarragon or parsley.

MARTIN’S is committed to helping customers make healthier choices while shopping. Here at the Eldersburg store, we offer a variety of FREE nutrition classes, interactive lessons, and store tours to our customers. We help to enable kids and adults live healthier lives not only during National Nutrition Month® but throughout the year. Be on the lookout for Elisabeth D’Alto, RD, LDN, MARTIN’S In-Store Nutritionist during the month of March as she will be holding different events throughout the store to celebrate National Nutrition Month®.

Elisabeth D’Alto, RD, LDN is an in-store nutritionist at the Eldersburg MARTIN’S Food Markets located at 1320 Londontown Boulevard. For more Healthy Ideas, visit www.martinsfoods.com/healthyideas.