National Nutrition Month: Food Connects Us

March is National Nutrition Month, a time to celebrate the vital role that nutrition plays in our overall health and well-being. The theme for 2025 is “Food Connects Us,” and this year, we’re taking the opportunity to explore how the foods we eat connect us to our health, our cultures, our families, and our communities.

Connecting Food to Health

Food is more than just fuel for the body—it plays an essential role in supporting our health, preventing chronic diseases, and improving quality of life. From childhood to adulthood, the nutrients we get from the foods we eat are critical for growth, energy, and disease prevention. This month, we’re highlighting the importance of making nutritious choices that promote long-term health.

As we transition from Heart Month to National Nutrition Month, it’s the perfect time to focus on heart-healthy eating. A heart-healthy diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats while limiting added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium. These food choices can help reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, and improve cholesterol levels.

Simple Heart-Healthy Tips:

• Increase your fiber intake by choosing whole grains, including more fruits and vegetables in your meals, and incorporating more plant-based proteins such as beans and legumes.
• Opt for healthy fats, such as those found in nuts, seeds, avocado, and olive oil.
• Limit processed foods and avoid excess salt and sugar.

Connecting Food to Culture

Food is also a powerful connector to our cultural identities and traditions. It reflects our values, history, and the communities we come from. Sharing meals with family and friends is a time-honored tradition that fosters connections, strengthens relationships, and creates memories.

This National Nutrition Month, we encourage you to explore the connection between food and culture. Try new recipes, share dishes from your heritage, and take the opportunity to learn about the food traditions of others. Whether it's a holiday dish or a weekly family dinner, food brings us together, nourishing both our bodies and our spirits.

Connecting Food to Family & Traditions

Food is often at the center of family traditions, from holiday meals to weekend gatherings. These traditions not only provide nourishment but also foster a sense of belonging and togetherness. Take time this month to reflect on the food traditions in your own family. Maybe it’s a special dessert made by a grandparent or a homemade soup shared with loved ones—it’s these moments that help build lasting connections.

And don’t forget that food is also an opportunity for teaching. Involving children in cooking or meal planning not only builds their skills but also helps them develop a lifelong appreciation for healthy eating.

Connecting Food to Different Stages of Life

Our nutritional needs change as we age. For example, children need calcium and vitamin D for bone health, while older adults require more protein to help maintain muscle mass. As we pass through different stages of life, our eating habits and nutrient requirements evolve, and food continues to connect us to our unique needs at each age.

For pregnant women, folate-rich foods are important for fetal development, and seniors may need to focus on foods that support heart and bone health. No matter what stage of life we’re in, food remains a key factor in supporting good health.

Connecting Food to Access

Not everyone has equal access to nutritious food, which is why food security is such an important issue. For many individuals and families, access to healthy foods can be a challenge due to factors such as cost, transportation, and availability in their community. This month, we want to raise awareness about the resources available to help those in need, such as food banks, local farmers' markets, SNAP, and WIC.

There are also great community-based solutions that help improve food access, such as mobile food pantries and community gardens. If you or someone you know is struggling with access to healthy food, we encourage you to reach out to local resources and organizations that can offer support, including right here at MCMH.

How You Can Participate

In honor of National Nutrition Month, we encourage you to take small, positive steps towards improving your nutrition and health. Here are a few ideas to get started:

• Explore new recipes that incorporate heart-healthy ingredients.
• Share a meal with friends or family and celebrate the connection that food brings.
• Learn more about where your food comes from and how it’s grown.
• Consider speaking with a registered dietitian (RD) to get personalized nutrition advice tailored to your health needs.

Food is a powerful tool that connects us to our health, culture, family, and community. This National Nutrition Month, let’s take the time to reflect on the ways food brings us together and commit to making nutritious choices that support a healthier future.