March is National Nutrition Month! Every year, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics pioneers a movement to spread the word about nutrition. This year, the theme is “Go Further with Food”. What does that mean, you ask? The goal is to focus on planning, choosing, and preparing foods in such a way for peak utilization in our bodies and with our budget. This will help to limit food waste while also maximizing the health benefits from your food taking your budget and performance further! Below are some tips to help you “Go Further with Food!”

• Plan ahead. Think about your week and try to set aside time for cooking. You might find it easier to choose a day to cook in large batches for the week. Make sure you choose a variety of vegetables, sources of protein, and perhaps a grain.
• Mix and Match Foods to Utilize Leftovers. Having the same dish over and over again can get boring. If you follow the tip above, you can mix and match these items in a variety of different ways to keep it interesting. This will add a variety of nutrients while keeping your taste buds guessing! For instance…
• Add leftover veggies on top of a salad, in a vegetable wrap with hummus, or add to a quick stir fry.
• Make leftover grains interesting…One day you may add dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and dried parsley to your quinoa. Another day you might add sundried tomatoes and pesto. The possibilities are endless! Open up your pantry and your mind and get creative with what you have on hand!
• Buy frozen! How many times have you bought fresh produce with the good intentions of either cooking or eating it fresh, but then you get busy, and before you know it, it’s spoiled? It happens to the best of us. Try to cut back on food waste by stocking up on frozen fruits and vegetables. They are frozen at peak freshness, are packed with nutrients, and will keep longer in your freezer than fresh produce does on your counter. Also, if your fresh produce is starting to turn, portion into bags and freeze before it’s too late. Great for adding into a morning smoothie!
• Pack it up! The habit of buying lunch during the work week can cause your bank account to shrink while your waistline grows. Invest in a good lunch box and pack your leftovers for a nutritious lunch to keep you fueled throughout your day. It may be hard to adjust at first, but I promise, your wallet and the scale will thank you!

To sum it up…Wasted Food = Wasted Money and Nutrients! Making a few small adjustments to your routine can make a BIG impact in helping you to “Go Further with Food”!