As March comes to a close, National Nutrition Month® also ends. This month’s theme, “Nutrition: It’s a Matter of Fact” focused on getting your nutrition information from facts (i.e., evidence-based medicine) and not just “believe everything you hear.” There were 10 key messages this month, and I wanted to give you a summary of the articles about these key messages.

Key Messages for National Nutrition Month

1. Eating right doesn’t have to be complicated. Use MyPyramid.gov to develop a personalized plan for lifelong health.

2. The best nutrition advice is based on science. Before adopting any changes to your diet, be sure the information is based in scientific fact. (see above!)

3. Get your food and nutrition facts from the expert: a registered dietitian (RD). RDs are uniquely qualified to translate the science of nutrition into reliable advice you can use every day.

4. Balancing physical activity and a healthful diet is your best recipe for managing weight and promoting overall health and fitness.

5. Think nutrient-rich rather than “good” or “bad” foods. The majority of your food choices should be packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients—and lower in calories.

6. Look at the big picture: No single food or meal makes or breaks a healthful diet. Your total diet is the most important focus for healthful eating.

7. Prepare, handle, and store food properly to keep you and your family safe from food-borne illness.

8. Don’t fall prey to food myths and misinformation that may harm rather than benefit your health.

9. Read food labels to get nutrition facts that help you make smart food choices quickly and easily.

10. Find the healthy fats when making food choices. By choosing polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats, you can keep your saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol low.

We at Building Nutrition hope that you have incorporated some of these messages into your daily life and have become more informed about nutrition throughout the month of March. I hope that you have learned a lot this month and will continue the changes you have begun!