National Nutrition Month: Here Are 3 Ways to Celebrate This Year & Help People Not Go Hungry by Susan Bowerman, M.S., R.D., CSSD, CSOWM, FAND

March is National Nutrition Month, a time dedicated to focusing on the importance of a balanced diet, exercise and educating ourselves. It is important to not only continue making the healthiest decisions for our families, but also to help battle against the rising issues of malnutrition and food insecurity.

Unfortunately, millions of people face hunger and food insecurity – a lack of consistent access to enough, nutritious food –everyday, in our own backyards. As someone who’s committed my life’s work to educating others on the importance of a balanced diet, here are three tips to help you, or anyone in need, gain better access to healthy foods and adopt sustainable food practices this month:

1. Go vegetarian once a week. Not only does it save you money, you can put together really delicious meals that are super healthy. Get creative with lentil curries with rice or spicy black bean soup with corn tortillas. Add a salad or some in-season fruit, and you’ve got a nutrition-packed meal for pennies per person.

2. Freeze fruits and vegetables to make them last longer. Frozen veggies are a great bargain, too, and they are just as nutritious as fresh, since they’re processed so quickly after they’re harvested. I buy the loose pack fruits and vegetables in bulk so that I can use only I you need. You’ll pay a premium for pre-washed and pre-cut produce, too, so taking a few extra minutes to cut up whole veggies will save you money.

3. Donate to those in need. The next time you are cleaning out your refrigerator, freezer or pantry, consider donating extra shelf-stable food items to local food banks and charities. Through Nutrition for Zero Hunger, my company partners with a number of organizations who work locally, nationally and locally to help fight the growing issues of malnutrition through food nutrition and educational programs.

Learn more about the Nutrition for Zero Hunger campaign at IAMHerbalife.com.

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