March Is National Nutrition Month – Let’s Eat Smart, Not Just Fast
It’s March, folks, and the National Nutrition Month has rolled around. That means it’s the perfect moment to chit‑chat about what’s on our plates. Everyone’s got an idea of what a healthy diet looks like, but how many of us actually stick to it? The short answer? Not many. That tiny habit gap is quietly piling up a litany of health problems—think heart disease, diabetes, and even certain cancers.
Fast Food: Convenient? Not Cool for Your Health
- Junk food, fast‑food burgers, and all those heavily processed snacks may pop up on the menu because they’re convenient and delicious.
- But they’re not doing you any favors—they’re secretly sabotaging your well‑being.
- It’s time to stop these unhealthy rituals and switch to habits that actually help you.
Expert Insight: Jennifer Scherer on Breaking the Rut
“We all get stuck in ruts, where we are doing the same thing over and over,” said Jennifer Scherer, certified personal trainer and owner of Fredericksburg Fitness Studio. “And often, those routines are the exact thing that’s harming us. We need to flip the script, so our habits boost us instead of hurting us.”
What the Numbers Tell Us
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been tracking the obesity trend among adults, and the numbers are a bit alarming. According to the latest data, 42% of adults are classified as obese. That leads to a higher chance of:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Specific kinds of cancer
The good news is that most of these conditions can be prevented with a balanced diet and a bit of lifestyle tweaking.
Here’s a Quick Cheat Sheet to Get You Started
- Swap the chips for a crunchy veggie snack—your gut loves it.
- Hydrate wisely: Replace sodas with flavored water or sparkling cucumber juice.
- Mind your portions: Use smaller plates to trick your brain into thinking you’re eating more.
- Plan ahead: Meal‑prep a few lunches a week and keep healthy options ready to grab.
- Move more: Even a 10‑minute walk after dinner can boost your metabolic rate.
So, come March, give yourself a pep‑talk, grab those veggies, and put the fast food at the back of your mind—literally! Your future self will thank you for the healthy change.
