Celebrate National Nutrition Month®: Explore the Connection Between Food and Culture.
- Barbara J. Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
It’s March, and that means it’s National Nutrition Month®!
This year’s theme is Food Connects Us. I agree! I believe food brings the world together and food is the ultimate people-connector. Check out other posts about National Nutrition Month® listed below and learn more about the benefits of sharing food with others.
The four weeks of March have specific themes and talking points. Throughout the month we will explore each weekly theme. This week’s theme is…
Week 3: Explore the Connection Between Food and Culture.
Experiment with recipes using different ingredients or cooking techniques.
Include your favorite cultural foods and traditions or try new global flavors.
Enjoy your meals with family or friends, when possible.
Let’s look at each one…
Experiment with recipes using different ingredients or cooking techniques.
Do you know the origin of your favorite recipes and ingredients? Are they part of your cultural heritage or another? A quick internet search can help you discover a world of interesting food facts.
Food and cooking are an integral part of culture. Learning about the food traditions of various cultures is fascinating. Get to know the staples, primary protein sources, common spices, main ingredients, and cooking techniques used around the world.
Experiment with recipes and ingredients you don’t commonly use. Expand your palate. You may discover some new favorites.
Include your favorite cultural foods and traditions or try new global flavors.
Are your loved ones familiar with their cultural foodways and traditions? Do you have passed down recipe cards or cookbooks from a great-grandparent? Try out an old recipe with the next generation and talk about your heritage and how foodways have changed.
Do you have opportunities to try global flavors? Is there an ethnic restaurant or grocery store in your area? Do you have friends or neighbors who recently moved from elsewhere in the world? Share your food traditions and recipes.
Explore the connection between food and culture.
Enjoy your meals with family or friends, when possible.
Create opportunities to share meals with family and friends. Enjoying food together brings people closer, builds relationships, and strengthens families and communities.
The benefits of sharing meals extend beyond families. Eating together benefits friends, co-workers, neighbors… everyone. Throughout human history, people of all cultures and walks of life have come together to share food.
“Food connects us” is more than a slogan for National Nutrition Month®. It is a call to action. It is a reminder that people are stronger and healthier together. Isolation is a risk factor for poor social, mental, and physical health. Coming together for meals leads to improved diets and overall well-being.
Explore the connection between food and culture, together, sharing a meal.
Celebrate National Nutrition Month®
Need ideas? Each year, the Academy provides numerous ideas for celebrating National Nutrition Month. Here are 50 ideas. Here is the complete list of NNM resources.
Previous posts about NNM:
"Food is deeply connected to our heritage, identity and well-being. As a Filipino-American registered dietitian, I encourage everyone to celebrate National Nutrition Month® by exploring the rich connection between food and culture. Try new ingredients, experiment with traditional recipes and embrace global flavors while honoring your own cultural roots. Sharing meals with family and friends not only nourishes the body but also strengthens bonds and preserves traditions. By appreciating the diversity of food, we create a more inclusive and flavorful approach to healthy eating." ~ Grace A. Derocha, RDN, Academy Spokesperson in Detroit, Michigan
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