March is National Nutrition Month

Food is more than nutrients; food is energy. It keeps bones growing and one's heart, brain, and muscles going. Our body needs 5 main food groups to function: protein, grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy. So, everything we eat and drink matters, and the food choices we make today will impact our well-being in the future.?

An easy way to ensure that you follow the recommended nutrition guidelines is to follow the MyPlate model, which consists of making half your plate fruits and veggies, the other half grains and protein, and have 3 servings of dairy foods per day. You can get a personalized MyPlate Plan by visiting and signing up at https://www.myplate.gov/myplate-plan/widget? 

Another way to ensure that you get all the nutrients your body needs is by choosing various colors, textures, and flavors. For example, adding fruits and vegetables of opposite colors, such as red and green. Add texture to your meals by adding raw fruits and veggies such as apples, carrots, and celery. Lastly, add flavor to meals by introducing 1-2 new foods with a familiar entrée. Herbs and spices are another great way of adding flavor to meals; stir them into your dishes or sprinkle them on top to add freshness.

Budget-Friendly Tips for Grocery Shopping??

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food prices increased by almost 10% in 2022, making it very challenging to bring home foods to create balanced nutritious meals. However, money should not be the reason to sacrifice good nutrition. Below are a few tips to help you stay on a budget without compromising your health:

- Planning is key to budget-friendly grocery shopping. Plan meals based on weekly sales. Check store flyers and websites for digital coupons and discounts for items you usually consume.?? 

- Compare recognized brand items with those of your local store brands. You can have the same quality and still enjoy the seasonings and flavors you like the most for a lower cost when buying store brands.?? 

- Create a shopping list and stick to it; this can save you multiple trips to the grocery store as you won’t forget what you need, and it reduces the chance of impulse buying.??? 

- Buying seasonal produce can help you stay within your budget as fruits and vegetables cost less while in season. The USDA.gov website has a great list of suggestions to know which fruits and vegetables are available during specific seasons.????? 

- Buy canned or frozen if your favorite fruits and vegetables are not in season. They are a nutritious and wallet friendly alternative as these are picked during their peak time for flavor and freshness, making them the perfect substitute for fresh fruits and vegetables.??? 

- Grow your own fruits and veggies! Planting your own produce can save you money.???

To learn more about gardening, join a FREE workshop at the Central City Park Community Garden this month! For more information visit the Community Garden Workshops page, or contact Healthy Fontana.

Sustainable Eating

According to Feeding America, 40% of all food in the US goes to waste. Most of these foods are perfectly safe to consume, which means that we, as consumers, can help reduce food waste and its negative environmental impact.? We can do this by practicing sustainable eating.??? 

Sustainable eating is choosing foods that are beneficial for our bodies and for the environment. Some examples of sustainable food include legumes, grains, fruits, and veggies; these foods are grown and processed in a way that does not harm our environment, therefore, creating the opportunity to meet not only our nutritional needs but also those of future generations.??? 

One can practice sustainable eating by adding a variety of veggies and fruits to snacks and meals. Research supports that eating a plant-based diet is the healthiest option.

Growing your own veggies and fruits won’t only help your wallet, but will also help reduce the consumption of harmful chemicals. Lastly, avoid wasting food; you can do this by buying only what you need, meal planning, and creating a shopping list to help you keep track of foods you will need weekly or bi-weekly.? 

To learn more about sustainable eating, visit: https://eatforum.org/eat-lancet-commission/the-planetary-health-diet-and-you/? 

There are countless health observances that raise awareness for a variety of health related conditions (both big and small) throughout the year that helps remind the community to stay on top of their health.

This Month's Observances:

National Endometriosis Awareness Month

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month  

National Kidney Month

Weeks to Note:
March 12 – 18: Sleep Awareness Week??
March 20 – 26: National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week?
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Notable Days:
March 3: World Birth Defects Day;
March 10: National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day;
March 20: National Native American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day;
March 28: National Diabetes Alert Day

Upcoming Events**
** Times/Locations Subject to Change **

Visit the Healthy Fontana booth at one (or all) of these upcoming events for FREE resources and giveaways!

-Thursdays, March 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th: Fontana Farmers' Market, 2pm-7pm, Southridge Park (Don Day Center Parking Lot)

March 16th will feature a FREE food demo of the recipe of the month! 4pm-6pm

- Sundays, March 5th, 12th, 19th, & 26th: Fontana Farmers' Market, 10am-3pm, Fontana Park/Aquatics Center Parking Lot

March 19th will feature a FREE food demo of the recipe of the month! 12pm-2pm

- Saturday, March 4th: South Fontana Park Grand Opening, 8:30am, South Fontana Park

- Saturday, March 11th: Fontana Walks!, 8am, Fontana Park

- Saturday, March 18th: FREE Garden Workshop, 9am, Central City Park Community Garden