CHRISTUS Health Recognizes National Nutrition Month with Easy-to-Follow Tips

CHRISTUS Health is recognizing National Nutrition Month in March, urging people to adopt healthy eating habits that can have big payoffs in their overall health.

“The goal is to invite people to learn about nutrition and start thinking about it,” said Lauren Clark, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic clinical dietitian. “This way, you are able to make informed food choices for yourself and your family.”

National Nutrition Month was started 51 years ago by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics with a goal of promoting healthier habits, including sustainability, food safety, physical activity, and education about making informed food choices.

Clark said making changes does not have to be difficult. In fact, there are some simple ways to alter your diet that can have big payoffs.

“The simplest change to your diet is just to ensure there is protein and vegetables on your plate,” Clark said. “Introducing yourself and your family to new vegetables and new ways of cooking them can make your meal more fun.”

Another tip – sit down with your family to eat.

“When you sit down with your family or friends to share a meal, you are less likely to rush through the meal,” Clark said. “By slowing down and enjoying some conversation, you allow enough time for your stomach and brain to communicate with each other and signal that you have had enough to eat. When we eat in a hurry, we overeat because there isn’t enough time for our body to recognize those feelings of fullness.”

She also recommends writing down your meals. This will give you an overview of what you are putting into your body while holding yourself accountable with your food intake.

While nutrition is important for everyone, it can look different for each person, Clark said.

“Nutrition is very individualized,” she said. “Our bodies are not all created equally and that needs to be kept in mind when making food choices.”

Which is why she suggests reaching out to a registered dietitian.

“We sit with you to see what your goals are, where your health stands right now, and work with you to figure out the best approach for you,” she said. “We are not the food police. Our role is not to tell you what you can and cannot eat. But we are going to be realistic with you, help you with your food choices, and be your cheerleaders along the way.”

Clark said her biggest advice is to be patient and persistent. She said you may not eat a perfectly balanced meal each time, which is fine.

“Our bodies will break our food down into molecules and take what it needs and deals with the excess,” she said. “Our bodies are working with us more than they are working against us. So, if there is a meal that was not so balanced, just work to make the next one better.”