By Carleton Rivers, MS, RD, LD

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has designated March National Nutrition Month®. This campaign was created in 1980 to spread nutrition education messages to the public while also promoting the profession of dietetics. The Academy serves as the “world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals.” It is multidimensional, providing valuable information and career-enhancing resources for current and future dietetics professionals, as well as an array of nutrition information specifically created for the public. The theme for National Nutrition Month® 2015, “Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle,” brings attention to the importance of healthy daily routines and habits to achieve a healthy lifestyle.

A healthy lifestyle is created by making better choices each day which become healthy habits that last a lifetime. This can be achieved by making S.M.A.R.T. goals.

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Time-framed

Attempting to change your entire lifestyle all at once can be overwhelming and may prove futile. Setting S.M.A.R.T. goals will provide you with a manageable method for achieving the change you desire. To better understand how to create S.M.A.R.T. goals, check out the example below.

Regular Goal: Eat healthier food.
S.M.A.R.T. Goal: Eat one serving of fresh vegetables with each meal this week.

Another important component of making healthier choices each day is being knowledgeable about nutrition and exercise. To learn more about healthy habits, review the fact sheet created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics titled 15 Health Tips for 2015. Find more materials on diet and exercise at www.eatright.org, www.choosemyplate.gov and www.nchpad.org.