Dietitians Celebrate National Nutrition Month

To emphasize the advantages of developing a healthful eating plan that incorporates individual food choices and preferences, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages consumers to "Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day," as part of National Nutrition Month 2013.

"There can be a misperception that eating healthfully means giving up your favorite foods," said Ethan A. Bergman, registered dietitian and president of the Academy, which this year celebrates the 40th anniversary of National Nutrition Month. Bergman added that this year’s theme “encourages consumers to include the foods they love as part of a healthful eating plan that is tailored for their lifestyles, traditions, health needs and, of course, tastes."

The Academy strives to communicate healthy eating messages that emphasize a balance of food and beverages rather than any one food or meal. To this end, the Academy maintains the position that the total diet or overall pattern of food consumption is the most important focus of healthy eating. Most favorite foods can fit within this pattern if consumed in moderation with appropriate portion size and combined with physical activity.

As part of the campaign, the Academy's website includes a variety of helpful tips, games, promotional tools and nutrition education resources, all designed to spread the message of good nutrition based on the "Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day" theme.

“As registered dietitians and dietetic technicians,” Bergman added, “we are able to translate sound science-based research into helpful information that people can understand and apply to their everyday lives.”

Initiated in 1973 as a week-long event, National Nutrition Week became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition. Additionally, to commemorate the dedication of registered dietitians worldwide, the second Wednesday of each March is celebrated as Registered Dietitian Day. This year marks the sixth annual celebration of Registered Dietitian Day, which will be observed on March 13.

The Chicago-based Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics -- formerly the American Dietetic Association -- is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.