Many students have made New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier and to get fit in 2013.

While some may have held strong to that resolution, others may have swept that resolution under the rug.

Fortunately, there is still a chance to eat healthy and learn how to do it right.

March is National Nutrition Month® (NNM®) and the AU Student Dietetic Association is excited to teach students, faculty, and staff members how to eat right on campus.

National Nutrition Month® is sponsored annually by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and it strives to educate individuals about the importance of making healthy, food decisions and developing physical activity habits.

“NNM® educates people on the benefits of finding a way to develop positive habits by eating a diet that is balanced and made up of the carbs, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals,” Ivana Petrovic, President of the AU Student Dietetic Association (AUSDA), said. “This also includes finding a way to stay active in a way that is beneficial to health,

Petrovic and the AUSDA are looking forward to celebrating NNM® because the possibilities are endless when it comes to promoting the choice to make healthy decisions on campus.

“The ‘Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day’ theme can be molded into whatever we make of it and that can include families eating together, cultural dishes, and even religious contributions to diet,” Petrovic said.  

Brittany Cermak, Vice President of the AUSDA, is looking forward to spreading knowledge about nutrition to the entire campus.

“The AU Student Dietetic Association is very excited to be acknowledging National Nutrition Month® campus-wide,” she said. “We want to educate students, faculty and staff alike about health and nutrition.”

The AUSDA has teamed up with the Accent on P.R. and Sport Communication organizations and they have planned multiple events to encourage students to engage in healthy eating patterns and they hope to have some fun across campus, too.

“Each Monday in March, we will be hosting an educational event that touches on the NNM® theme,” Petrovic said. “We designed a Mediterranean-style bar with the help of Dining Services on Monday and we hoped students enjoyed the Mediterranean flavors.”

On March 18th from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, members of the AUSDA will be set up at Tuffy’s Smoothie Bar educating students about the best foods and smoothies students should eat after a workout.

Students who attend may be lucky enough to win a Tuffy prize.

On March 28th from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, students can come to the Eagles’ Nest and participate in a game show to test their knowledge about calories and nutrition.

Again, students have the chance to win different giveaways if they attend.

Coming to college, students may let their health habits go by the wade side; however, it is important to make conscious decisions when it comes to one’s health.

“I’m sure students have heard about that dreaded ‘Freshman 15’ when coming to college,” said Petrovic. “Developing poor eating habits is very easy to do; however, they can also be equally difficult to break and turn into positive actions.

A balanced diet is a necessary action to prevent an unhealthy lifestyle.”

Cermak adds that misleading labels and advertisements can contribute to the confusing and overwhelming decisions when it comes to eating healthy.

But the AUSDA wants to educate students about how to decipher between healthy and not so healthy foods as well as correct portion sizes.

“Students will definitely come away with a better understanding of the foods offered and how they can eat their own way at AU, as well as in their everyday lives to lead healthier lifestyles,” Cermak said.

This year the AUSDA is applying to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics NNM® contest to see if they can be recognized for an event that has the greatest impact to students on campus.

Petrovic hopes students will come to their events, learn some interesting diet facts, and have a good time with their friends.

All organizations involved are excited about the opportunity they have to spread the news about healthy eating to students on campus.

The AUSDA encourages students, faculty, and staff members to attend the events and learn how to eat right, your way, every day.