Nutrition and Wellness

Celebrating National Nutrition Month

Each year the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the largest organization of food and nutrition specialists) sponsor a campaign in March to celebrate nutrition. This year’s theme is “Discover the Power of Nutrition”. 

Power is the ability to do something. Nutrition is food necessary for health and growth. This year’s theme recognizes the power of nutrition to impact health and promote development. As a registered dietitian nutritionist, I earned a Master’s degree, completed supervised practice (internship), and passed a national examination. My job is to empower others with evidence-based nutrition education, so this theme really hit the mark. 

The Power of Nutrition in Action

Let me give you an example of the power of nutrition. For most of human history fruit or honey were the only sources of sweetness. In the 1870s, granulated sugar (cane sugar and beet sugar) became widely available in the United States. Since then, continued technological advances have increased access to sweetened foods and beverages. For example, in the 1970s, high fructose corn syrup became the cheapest sweetener in the United States due to government-subsidized corn production. 

Reducing Added Sugar

A powerful change in your diet would be a decrease your consumption of added sugars. The American Heart Association recommends a daily limit of no more than 36 grams added sugar for men and 25 grams added sugar for women. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends a daily limit of no more than 50 grams added sugar based on a 2000 calorie diet. A diet low in added sugar reduces your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. 

Turning Information Into Action

Let’s turn information into action. Choose a limit that is right for you and practice spending that limit wisely. Added sugar is listed on food labels, under total sugar, to help you track your intake.

• Adding one teaspoon of honey to your tea will contribute about 5 grams of added sugar.

• Drinking 1 cup of low-fat chocolate milk will contribute about 10 grams added sugar.

• Dipping French fries in two tablespoons of spicy barbeque sauce contributes about 12 grams added sugar. 

Making an informed decision about what you eat enables you to take control of your health. Other nutrition power moves include increasing vegetables at mealtimes and meeting your personal protein goal for muscle mass maintenance. 

Supporting Our Community’s Health

I joined Heritage Health in 2023 to provide medical nutrition therapy counseling to our community. I work with all medical and mental health diagnoses and have 13 years of experience. It is my job to assist you with individualized evidence-based science to treat nutritional problems. I provide individual counseling to Heritage Health patients referred by their medical or mental health provider. 

Looking Ahead: Expanding Preventative Care

Heritage Health is committed to the preventative health of everyone in North Idaho. Phase 2 of the Center for Healthy Living on Seltice Avenue is due to open early 2027. This expanded facility will include nutrition classes and a teaching kitchen for the community to learn more about preventative healthcare.