National Nutrition Month® is an annual nutrition education and information campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign, celebrated each year during the month of March, focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

It’s never too late to improve your diet!

A recent study in the British Journal of Nutrition found that following a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern was associated with a longer life. The study concluded that older adults who emphasize plant foods (fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains) along with seafood, olive oil and some red wine could potentially prolong their lives.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Select 100% whole grain bread.
• Keep healthy foods in your house— have a variety of vegetables on hand to toss into a pan with olive oil or make salads ahead of time.
• Fit in fruits and vegetables—Eat a fruit before your lunch; add veggies to dishes such as tomato sauce, mac & cheese, and soup.
• Have healthy snacks available—A small portion size container of nuts, whole grain crackers, raisins, etc., is great for nibbling.