By Melanie Slone
March is National Nutrition Month®, a time to make sure your eating habits are the best they can be.
A national survey by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the Academy) finds that nearly half of Americans are getting nutrition “advice” from social media, AI-generated videos, or unscientific sources, which means they may not be getting information based on decades of research.
In 1973, The Academy launched National Nutrition Month® as a week-long campaign. Today, it is celebrated every March, a time to review our eating habits.
The theme for 2026 is “Discover the Power of Nutrition,” a campaign to provide people with science-based data to help them make better food choices that improve their health and the overall wellbeing of their communities.
Some tips from the campaign
- Eat a healthy breakfast, including eggs, cheese, yogurt, fruits, or vegetables.
- Learn to cook with the resources and budget you already have.
- Cook more and eat out less.
- Plan what you’re going to eat with recipes and healthy snack ideas.
- Shop around for better prices and use coupons.
- Buy foods that are in season.
- Be careful with portion sizes. Use smaller plates and bowls and fill half the plate with vegetables and fruits and the other half with grains and proteins like meat or beans.
- Start a garden or go to local farmers markets.
- Drink water instead of sugary beverages.
- Learn how to read food labels and buy healthier options.
- When eating or ordering out, ask about nutrition information and food that is grilled, baked, broiled, or steamed.
- Eat together at the table as a family, not in front of the TV or in other spaces.
- Reduce added sugars.
- Include physical activity that meets your schedule and fitness level.
- Follow food safety guidelines such as refrigeration, cooking time and temperature, and cleanliness.
- Eat slowly and focus on your food rather than eating on the run.
- Talk to your doctor before taking vitamins or supplements.
Locate local food resources, such as the San Diego Food Bank map and Feeding San Diego distribution map; and community organizations like Somos Tías, Community Resource Center, InterFaith, Universidad Popular, TrueCare, Neighborhood Healthcare, local schools, and CalFresh. You may qualify for CalFresh benefits.
