RED ALERT: NUTRITION IN THE NEWS - Continued

As discussed last week, the spotlight is now shining on nutrition and our food system in the United States. RDNS and NDTRS are needed to help lead the way toward better food choices to improve the health of our nation!

Fully utilizing the capabilities of our already-established nutrition experts; Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist (RDNs) and Dietetic Technicians,Registered (NDTRs) would be the most cost effective and efficient way to combat obesity and chronic disease. As RDNs and NDTRs, we need to actively stand together to educate the public that reform of our food system should not be feared! Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) president, Livleen Gill, MBA, RDN, LDN,? FAND, will be working hard at the close of 2024 and into 2025 to promote nutrition nationally for all via media and grassroots effort - and this is the perfect time for RDNs and NDTRs to step up!

Most people may be aware of the need to ‘eat better’ or ‘follow a healthy diet’, but translating this into actionable items for the majority of the population comes with many challenges. For example, misleading marketing, misconceptions about the cost of ‘healthy’ foods, and conflicting dietary information can confuse even our most well-intentioned consumers. Education programs are needed to teach the public that whole, unprocessed foods taste great and are easy to add to our diets–even for those on a tight budget. Food insecurity, economic disparity, and food deserts further complicate the issue, as millions of? Americans face economic and geographic barriers to access nutritious foods. Addressing these issues in the media can drive public awareness, policy change and increase resources. Educational campaigns can dispel myths about "healthy" foods and empower people to prepare cost effective and nutritious meals.

?One idea is to advocate for the funding and development of programs where RDNs and NDTRs can provide nutrition education and access to wholesome foods to those at-risk in their communities. Programs can help teach people the fundamentals of meal planning and preparation, provide demonstrations and education on how to make better choices, and then send participants home with recipes and fresh ingredients.

Additionally, healthcare providers? need to be equipped to counsel patients on nutrition changes. Nutritious Lifestyles is committed to utilizing our knowledge and skills as Dietitians to provide our patients and clients with the most up to? date nutrition knowledge and improve physical and mental health. We firmly believe that good nutrition habits are the key to healthy aging - so the earlier we can address these issues, the better the outcome will be for our nation. Our goal is to make good nutrition possible for all to improve both our patients’, clients’ and their? families’ lives.?

By placing nutrition at the forefront, our media and governmental processes can play a transformative? role in reshaping the food landscape and health outcomes in the United States. RDNs and NDTRs have the knowledge and the skills, now they just need the resources and support to promote good nutrition to make America not only the best country to live in, but the healthiest as well!?