March 1 marks the start of National Nutrition Month®, an annual celebration by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Starting as National Nutrition Week in 1973, public interest and excitement grew and National Nutrition Month® was inaugurated in 1980. Now with more than 100,000 credentialed practitioners, the Academy is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals.
With people focused on their health more than ever and as employees start returning to the office, National Nutrition Month® is most timely this year.
March 9 is Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day!
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Day is also observed during National Nutrition Month®, on the second Wednesday in March. This occasion increases awareness of RDNs as the essential providers of food and nutrition service, dedicated to assisting people enjoy healthy lifestyles. This year, we celebrate National Nutrition Month® and RDN Day by focusing on globally-inspired, plant-forward eating and the connection between nutrition and mental well-being.
Featuring Plant-Forward Menus
Plant-forward diets continue to grow in popularity. According to Nielsen, 39% of Americans are actively trying to eat more plant-based foods. We believe that fruits, vegetables and grains should be celebrated and not limited to side dishes or salads. That’s why we’ve built menus that start with plant foods as the foundation and build to smaller amounts of animal proteins as the topper.
This month, we are partnering with Produce for Better Health Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a shared mission to increase daily intake of fruits and vegetables for better health and happiness through their Have a Plant® campaign. Our collective goal is to help guests increase fruits and vegetables and provide fresh flavors with in-season produce and variety.
We know that by getting more plants into the center of our plates, we help the health of our guests and our planet.
This month you will see delicious plant-forward recipes and dishes shared on our nutrition site, www.weeatlivedowell.com, and in our cafes, dining halls and market places.
The Connection Between Nutrition and Mental Well-Being
We have all experienced a time when excitement or stress has influenced how and what we eat. From brain health as we grow or age to dealing with difficult times, eating well can support our mental and physical well-being. Emerging evidence suggests what we eat can impact many of the systems in our bodies that influence mood, depression, anxiety and other aspects of our mental health. A healthy, well-balanced diet can help us think clearly and feel more alert while improving concentration and attention span.
We invite you to join our celebrated RDN experts as they discuss the latest in the connection between food, nutrition and mental well-being in a free webinar on March 16 from 1:00-2:00 pm EST. Click here to register.
Celebrating Our Own RDNs
Throughout March, and especially on March 9, RDN Day, we will acknowledge the contributions of our RDNs as they drive our nutrition programs and help frame what we concentrate on each year.
Over 2,200 RDNs are part of the Compass Group team. As food and nutrition experts, RDNs are uniquely positioned to champion efforts that support well-being for people and the planet in every part of our business. Our RDNs:
- Collaborate with chefs, clients, guests, patients and students to understand and meet varying needs
- Educate with food and nutrition information that is relevant, evidence-based and approachable
- Innovate to bring recipe and menu development that reflects our dynamic populations
- Inspire by sharing a passion for plant-forward, globally-inspired foods
As the leader in the culinary and hospitality industry, we recognize our role in assisting clients on their journey to take care of their employees both physically and mentally. Need a supportive partner? Let’s take time to talk!
Compass Notes 