National Nutrition Month — Put Your Best Fork Forward

The Newton Wellness Coalition is a not for profit established by a diverse group of Newton community members who desire to promote healthy living in the City of Newton. The purpose of this coalition is to support Section Six (Health) of the 2012 Newton Comprehensive Plan through connecting Newton’s greater population with physical, nutritional and social/emotional wellness offerings that are already occurring within Newton’s borders.

The 2017 National Nutrition Month theme is “Put Your Best Fork Forward.” You may have heard of put your best foot forward, but what does put your best fork forward mean? One bite at a time, one forkful at a time, one snack/meal at a time, one step at a time. All these small changes add up to forward progress toward a healthier lifestyle.

How much versus what we eat.  Is one more important than the other? Not necessarily; both are equally important. You want the majority of your calories to be nutrient dense, meaning rich in nutrients for the number of calories involved. For example, 500 calories from candy (low nutrient density) is quite different than 500 calories from blueberries (high nutrient density).

Best Fork Forward: Snack Smarter. Perhaps it's your sweet tooth that's the hardest to satisfy while still making an effort to eat healthfully. For the sweet and salty combination, try mixing dark chocolate chips into a homemade trail mix with nuts, seeds and popcorn. Purchase chocolate-covered berries and dried fruit; then portion into single-serving bags so you are ready to curb those sweet cravings and still stay on track.

Put your best foot and fork forward in celebration of National Nutrition Month.