The month of March brings with it small changes that have a meaningful impact. As the early spring sun peaks through grey winter skies and temperatures thaw to grant us slightly milder days, an air of possibility is born. We begin to shake off the winter cob webs, head outside, and feel a little lighter and brighter — even as we carry on with the humdrum of our daily routines.
If there were a lesson to be learned from Mother Nature in March; surely it would be that small, gradual changes can have a great effect. While this message can be applied to most anything, I feel it rings especially true to health and wellness seekers.
Be the tortoise, not the hare. Though it’s tempting to want to go full speed ahead with a new diet or exercise routine, it’s probably not the most effective approach. If you read my “Say No to Restrictive Dieting” post; you may already know that people who lose weight rapidly tend to be less successful at keeping it off. The reason for this is simple. Small changes are easier to adopt and to make stick, so they typically yield better long-term results; whereas drastic changes are usually too restrictive and demanding to be sustained.
This year, as part of their National Nutrition Month® campaign, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics wants you to start small – one forkful at a time; and aim to “Put Your Best Fork Forward.”
So today I’m providing a few simple tips to help you do just that!
3 Small Steps to Better Nutrition
1. Find your favorites. What healthful foods bring you pleasure? Dark chocolate, peanut butter, fresh spring strawberries, crispy asparagus, eggs over easy, and the occasional glass of red wine are at the top of my list. Whatever yours may be – the Academy encourages you to “create an eating style that includes a variety of your favorite, healthful foods.”
2. Be a bookworm. With spring showers ahead, it’s the perfect time to start reading a book from the Good Nutrition Reading List. You won’t find anything but reliable information from the books on this list, which to me is as refreshing as the spring itself!
3. Connect with an expert. Registered Dietitians Nutritionists are highly trained to provide you accurate, personalized nutrition advice that’s easy to follow. Use this Find an Expert tool to locate one near you. Or consider booking a virtual appointment (as some dietitians now offer) that you can attend from the comfort of your own home.
Adrienne Inger is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist passionate about setting the record straight with sound and simple nutrition advice. She sees clients nationwide via “virtual appointment” and has a growing private practice in the DC-Metro Area where she lives. Adrienne completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Maryland; and her clinical dietetic internship at a UCLA-affiliated hospital in Los Angeles, California. She has years of experience helping clients with weight management, women’s health, diabetes prevention & management, chronic kidney disease, nutrition for aging and more. http://www.adrienneinger.com
