Jessica Roy, MS, RD, LDN
National Nutrition Month occurs every March to celebrate the role of food and nutrition in the health and wellness of people across the United States. Each year brings a new theme, and I am the most excited for this year’s focus on the social and cultural impact of how food brings people together.
Working in my field with individuals hoping to develop a happy and healthy relationship with food, I often hear my patients express fear over certain foods and hesitation to enjoy celebratory meals. If we can instead focus on the time, effort, and love someone invests into creating that delicious scratch baked apple pie, for instance, I think we can reduce, even erase, that fear component and enjoy the food for what it is, a comforting and delectable eating opportunity. Now the food reminds us of that special individual, and hopefully no longer causes anxiety.
Food strengthens family ties and friendships. My own kiddo is often quiet and reserved at family gatherings. I see him breaking out of his shy nature with well intended jokes about my sister’s famous, and absolutely amazing, chocolate chip banana bread. He always gobbles it up and then teases her that it looks homemade (which is apparently not her hope, only for it to taste homemade).
Food teaches us about other cultures. I had the opportunity to attend a Chinese New Year meal with my neighbor, and all the items presented had a story or were included to bring luck, joy, prosperity, longevity, or family togetherness. I tasted and enjoyed all of the foods while learning more about my neighbor, her history, and what is important to her for her life here.
This National Nutrition Month, I hope for those I work with to embrace this positive role of food to connect us. In this connection, hopefully we can reduce the apprehension that certain foods may bring to some when it comes to body image, and we can continue to celebrate all of the ways that food brings joy, to develop and maintain that happy and healthy relationship with food for the long term.
If you want to learn more about how food can and does bring people together, please reach out to me for support.
