Savor the Flavor of Eating Right for National Nutrition Month

By Erin Coleman, health coach and registered dietitian at Community Health Network

March is National Nutrition Month, a time to focus on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. The theme for 2016 is "Savor the Flavor of Eating Right," which encourages everyone to enjoy the great flavors and experiences of food traditions.

While it’s important to follow a healthy, well-balanced diet for everyday health, it’s just as important to ENJOY what you are eating! Fruits and vegetables in particular are often missing from our plates, but with hundreds of produce items available, the possibilities of creating delicious, flavorful dishes are endless!

Try these simple tips to increase your fruit and vegetable consumption without sacrificing flavor:

• Grill your fruit: Make kabobs with pineapple, peaches and banana. Grill on low heat until fruit is hot and slightly golden.
• Sneak them in: Try mixing up a quick smoothie filled with frozen fruit and leafy greens. You can even add vegetable purée to your pancakes, muffins and other baked goods!
• Get saucy: Purée apples, berries, peaches or pears in a blender for a thick, sweet sauce on grilled or broiled seafood or poultry, or on pancakes, French toast or waffles.
• Top it: Variety abounds when using vegetables as pizza toppings. Try broccoli, spinach, green peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms and zucchini.

How do you do it?

How do you add fruits and veggies to foods in a tasty way? Share your tips on our Facebook page. Or, just send our health coaches a note if you have questions about nutrition and eating right.