March is National Nutrition Month, a month dedicated to nutrition education and information. The campaign is sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and it focuses on the importance of making informed choices and developing sound eating habits. During National Nutrition Month – on March 11 – is Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day, set aside to increases awareness of registered dietitian nutritionists as indispensable providers of food and nutrition services. This day also recognizes RDNs for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives.
One way to develop sound eating habits and enjoy a healthy life is smart snacking. Snacks are not the enemy. They can be an important part of a healthy diet, as long as we choose the correct type of snack. Snacks are an easy way to supply nutrients we might miss during mealtime by including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low fat dairy. Snacks can also prevent overeating at mealtime and throughout the day. The key to smart snacking is choosing carefully and planning ahead.
It’s easy to incorporate healthy snacks into your diet if you keep a variety of nutrient rich, ready-to-eat foods nearby. Cut up produce when you purchase it, and divide it into single servings; studies show that prepping ahead of time increases your chances of choosing healthy snacks. Keeping healthy snacks in your desk drawer at work or in your bag when you’re running errands will prevent you from visiting the vending machine. Most importantly, snack because you’re hungry – not because you’re stressed out, bored, or angry!
Here are some smart snacks to stock up on, to help you prepare to snack smarter:
- 1 plain rice cake topped with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter and ½ sliced banana
- Fresh vegetables dipped in hummus
- Kind bar (choose one with 5g sugar or less)
- 1 medium sized fruit with 1 oz nuts
- Greek yogurt with fresh fruit
- 1 serving of popcorn
- 1 serving of Pop Corners
- Medium non-fat latte
National Nutrition Month is the perfect time to commit to smart snacking. See a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for more information today!
