by Sherise Beckham, MS, RD, LD
FORT SCOTT, Kan. (March 15, 2018) – March is one of my favorite months! Why you may ask? March is National Nutrition Month®; a whole month dedicated to celebrating nutrition and what dietitian doesn’t love that?
The theme for March 2018 National Nutrition Month® is “Go Further with Food.” This campaign is geared towards being mindful of what you put in your mouth, as well as what is left over as food waste.
What does this mean for you? How do we go further with our food? To begin, start planning your meals and snacks. Make a weekly menu and a shopping list for the grocery store. As hard as it may seem, try to stick to items on that shopping list when at the grocery store.
It’s important to make sure your meals and snacks have some variety and color. Have fun with your meals and try new foods and recipes! Once you plan what to prepare, have a plan for the leftovers, too. Use your leftovers in another meal later in the week, or freeze the leftovers for another time. Also, be mindful of your portion sizes. Think about the amount you should be eating and dish up just that amount. Help our environment by reducing food waste (the stuff that goes into your trash) by not overserving yourself.
I encourage you to take time this month to think about helping ourselves be healthier by eating a variety of healthful foods, as well as helping our planet by cutting down on food waste. Again, happy National Nutrition Month® and “Go Further with Food!”
Mercy Hospital Fort Scott is an acute care hospital with 46 licensed beds, offering comprehensive medical, surgical, OB/GYN, pediatric, home care and hospice services. Inpatient care is provided with 24/7 physician coverage. In 2017, Mercy Hospital Fort Scott received The Leapfrog Group’s prestigious A rating. Mercy Clinic Fort Scott is located on hospital grounds as well as Mercy rural health clinics in Arma and Pleasanton.
Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2017 and 2016 by Truven, an IBM Watson Health company, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy’s IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.