Each March, Registered Dietitians celebrate National Nutrition Month,® a national campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the nation’s largest non-profit organization of food and nutrition professionals.
National Nutrition Month®, or NNM, promotes the importance of making informed food choices while developing both sound eating and physical activity habits. Nutrition month started in 1973 as a one-week celebration and then evolved to be a month-long celebration with rotating themes every year.
This year in 2022, the NNM theme is “Celebrate a World of Flavors,” celebrating flavors and nutritious foods from cultures around the world.
Also, annually on the second Wednesday in March is Registered Dietitian Day, which highlights Registered Dietitians as the most valuable and credible source of timely, science-based food and nutrition information.
In honor of National Nutrition Month® and Registered Dietitian Day this year, we are going to be answering your burning nutrition questions in our “Ask a Nutritionist” segment below.
Here are some of the most popular nutrition questions answered to get you started on your healthy eating journey.
5 Top Nutrition Questions for Dietitians
1. How much water should I drink daily?
Water is essential for energy and optimal health. There are general guidelines for daily intake, but your individual needs may vary based on your overall health, activity level, and where you live.
Most of us don’t get enough water, and the amount needed is often more than what we think.
In general, the U.S. National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine determined that men need an average of 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) and women need an average of 11.5 (2.7 liters) per day.
This total amount includes water that is in the form of plain water, other beverages, and food. Foods high in water content include fruits and vegetables and can account for up to 20% of average daily water intake.
2. What are good carbs?
Not all carbs are the enemy, and some are better than others in terms of health and overall nutrition quality. Fruits, starchy vegetables, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are all good carbs that should be eaten in moderation.
On the other hand, refined, processed carbs such as bagels, muffins, pastries, and sweets should be limited.
3. How much protein should I eat to build muscle?
Protein is an essential nutrient that needs to be increased in the diet in order to build muscle. In general, at least 1.2-1.7 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, or 0.5-0.8 grams per pound is needed to gain muscle mass.
This protein amount can be met with a combination of high protein foods and snacks such as lean chicken, fish, eggs, tofu, Greek yogurt, beans, seeds, nuts, and Chomps meat snacks.
4. What are some examples of healthy snacks?
Healthy snacks can help prevent between-meal cravings and help you fill in nutrient gaps you may be having from your meals.
Here are a few healthy and nutritious snack ideas:
- Raw veggies and hummus
- Apple or banana with peanut butter
- Greek yogurt parfait
- Chomps Original beef sticks
- Grapes with a cheese stick
- Hard-boiled egg with berries
5. Are CHOMPS meat snacks healthy?
Absolutely! CHOMPS meat snacks are nutritionist-approved, are free of the top eight allergens, and are healthy and tasty. They are packed with grass-fed protein and are convenient to boot!
We hope you enjoyed our National Nutrition Month segment, and that it inspired you to celebrate your own world of flavorful, healthful foods. Shop our Chomps store today to complement your healthy eating plan.
