It’s National Nutrition Month! Everyone who set a New Year’s resolution to eat healthier now has a chance to either get back on track or pat themselves on the back for a job well done. Whether you’ve made nutrition a goal or not, March is a great time to focus on what you’re feeding your body.
Here are seven easy ways to improve your nutrition now.
1. List what you ate this week
Write down the food you ate the past few days. Sometimes you might not know exactly what you’re putting in your body until you see it all listed in front of you.
If you aren’t eating as healthy as you hoped, don’t let it get you down! The purpose of the list is to become aware. From there, you can find small ways to squeeze more healthy nutrients into your day.
2. Pack a banana for a mid-day snack
Mid-day munchies are a great opportunity for a nutritious snack! Bananas are rich in potassium and fiber. They even may help prevent high blood pressure, diabetes, and digestive problems.
Add sliced bananas to your favorite flavor of yogurt to get your daily fill of dairy.
3. Bake or grill your meat
If you’re a meat-lover, try baking, broiling, or grilling rather than frying. Swap your traditional go-to meats for fish at least once a week.
4. Keep a bottle of water handy
Everyone knows water is a crucial part of staying healthy. Keep a bottle of water handy – at your desk, in your kitchen fridge, or wherever you go. Using a bottle helps you see exactly how much water you’re drinking each day.
A healthy water intake varies for everyone – your overall health and activity levels greatly affect how much water you should drink. Talk to your doctor or dietitian to find out how much water is right for you.
5. Munch on nuts
Nuts are full of magnesium, vitamin E, fiber, and other great nutrients. And they’ll fill you up! Several studies even show nuts can help you lose weight. All around, eating nuts is a great way to give your body some much-needed nutrients.
6. Cook with extra virgin olive oil
Extra virgin olive oil helps keep your heart healthy. It’s also is loaded with healthy fats and powerful antioxidants that can fight inflammation.
And it’s great for cooking! Fatty acids can react with oxygen during cooking, damaging it. But one study showed extra virgin olive oil kept most of its nutritional value even when exposed to high temperatures.
7. Take vitamin D
Sometimes you can’t rely on the sun to get your daily dose of vitamin D. Your body needs it to keep your bones strong – without it, bones can become thin and brittle. Vitamin D can also help boost your mood!
These are just a few ways you can get your fill of daily nutrients. Make your health a priority today and every day by giving your body what it needs most.