National Nutrition Month® - Time for Show, Not Tell

Have you heard? 

It's National Nutrition Month®! 

And what does that means...?

Well, it means the entire profession of Registered Dietitians is almost giddy over a month-long celebration of healthy eating. 

Unfortunately, it also means that most of the world is completely unaware of our little celebration. *Sigh* 

The reason for the latter? Simply put, many consumers don't view the RD as providing real-life, livable nutrition advice. Anyone ever heard of the "nutrition police?"

...and having listened to some of my peers' (and my own) nutrition advice over the years, I can somewhat relate. We get so caught up in the science, we forget to speak the language people want to hear:

Show Me The Food! 

I have gathered from talking to consumers over the years, working in the media and simply being a busy working mom myself that most people want to see solutions... not be told a bunch of scare tactics.

C'mon...honestly, do we not all know that being overweight is bad for your health? Who's surprised that unhealthy eating isn't the key to long life?

BTDT.

I challenge each and every one of my nutrition peers (as well as myself) to help consumers see (smell & taste) the excitement of healthy eating: 

~roasting vegetables to bring out their natural sugars

~exploring a new fruit each week - nature's first dessert

~toasting antioxidant-rich nuts for a pre-dinner snack

~savoring the award-winning choices of reduced fat cheeses

~discovering the ease & simplicity of oven-baked fish

...the possibilities are endless.

But it begins with sharing the excitement around cooking, tasting and experiencing healthy food... not focusing on "what not to eat." 

There is a lot of good news to be had this month in the nutrition world. 

Are you telling the right story? 

~Regan