March marks the start of spring and National Nutrition Month®, an annual campaign established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In March, Registered Dietitians invite everyone to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthy eating and physical activity habits.
This year’s theme is “Food Connects Us.” Food is a connecting factor for many of us. Food connects us to our cultures, our families, and our communities. Sharing a meal is an opportunity to learn about its preparation, who made it, and where the ingredients come from. Health, family traditions, seasons, and access can all impact our relationship with food. While these factors influence the foods we eat, the foods we eat also affect our health.
People have lost a connection to the farms that produce their food. Visiting local farms or farmers’ markets is a great way to learn more about where your food comes from and the sustainable practices farmers use to protect the planet.
There are 88 farmers markets in 59 counties throughout Mississippi, including the Mississippi Farmers Market in Jackson. The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce has certified 32 farmers’ markets in 25 counties. Farmer’s market certification ensures that the produce is grown by independent farmers, not resold, and that the market operates under specific regulations.
Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce has information on local farmers’ markets by county. The Dairy Alliance has an interactive map, the Dairy Trail, that lists all the farms in Mississippi that offer farm tours and sell local dairy products.
Food connects us to our farmers, even if we haven’t met, and it also connects us to family and friends when we gather and break bread together. Sharing meals offers multiple benefits, including strengthening family bonds, better nutrition, reducing stress, and cultivating a sense of community and belonging.
Preparing and sharing meals with friends and family does take more effort in today’s hectic world. However, the double helping of physical and mental health benefits from sharing a home-cooked meal or gathering at a local restaurant together is time well spent.
This month, try to eat more meals together with the people you live with; it can be breakfast (even on the weekend) or the traditional dinner at the table. Avoid stress and last-minute grocery runs by keeping your pantry and refrigerator stocked with ingredients that can be tossed together for an easy one-pot meal, like whole wheat pasta, frozen vegetables, and yogurt for homemade sauces.
Incorporate your kids into the menu planning. Have them choose a recipe to try or a new food or ingredient. Get them curious about how it’s grown, when it’s in season, and what pairs well with it. If age-appropriate, let them help prepare the meal. Also, this month, splurge and plan a brunch with the girls or a night out with friends or extended family at a new local restaurant. Bonus points if you know they source from local farmers.
The point is to get curious about what’s on your plate and how it can connect us and is connected to your health. Nutritious, whole foods tend to have a richer and more complex story than boxed processed foods. The more connected your food is to a farmer and Mother EarthMother Earth, the more nutrients it will ultimately provide you.
Lastly, better understand nutrition experts in your area this month. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and Nutrition and Dietetics Technicians, Registered (NDTRs) play a critical role in helping people understand the connection between the foods individuals and communities eat and how these foods impact health throughout life. As of April 2022, the Commission on Dietetic Registration reported 816 Registered Dietitians (RDs) and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) in Mississippi.
A Registered Dietitian (RD) has a higher level of education and credentialing than a nutritionist. To practice, RDs are required to complete a rigorous training program and pass a national exam, allowing them to provide more specialized medical nutrition therapy for individuals with health conditions. A nutritionist may have less formal training and typically focus on general dietary advice. Nutritionists cannot provide medical and nutritional counseling or diagnose or treat illnesses in Mississippi without being a Registered Dietitian.
Reach out to the Mississippi Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to connect with a dietitian in your area.
Greek Chicken Wraps with Tzatziki Herb Yogurt
Source of recipe: 3-A-Day of Dairy
Ingredients
Sauce
2 cups plain yogurt
1 cup peeled seeded and diced cucumber
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1⁄4 teaspoon salt (optional)
Wrap
1 (6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast
1 tablespoon light Italian dressing
4 (6-inch) whole-wheat pitas
2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 medium tomato chopped
1⁄2 cup sliced red onion
1⁄4 cup crumbled feta cheese
4 kalamata or black olives, pitted and sliced
