National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The idea is to focus on the importance of not only making informed food choices but also developing sound eating and physical activity habits.
The theme this year is: ‘Celebrate A World of Flavors’. Celebrating flavors from cultures around the world is a tasty way to nourish ourselves and appreciate our diversity. We are all unique with different bodies, goals, backgrounds and tastes! As a registered dietitian, I can help you create healthy habits that will help celebrate your heritage.
Even though I wasn’t raised with traditional German and Italian dishes, I grew up in Miami. Miami has an influence of different Hispanic backgrounds. A few dishes that are my favorite: arroz con frijoles, flan, arepas, platano maduros, y más! Add in my dad’s southern dishes he grew up on: cornbread, Johnnie cakes, fried green tomatoes, and more! Starting this blog has allowed me to explore and create so many different cultural dishes. Food is a great way to connect with other cultures. Even though traveling has been paused (for me due to the pandemic), food allows me to celebrate a world of flavors!
Understanding: Celebrate a World of Flavors
Early on in my career, I learned the importance of not only gaining knowledge but also understanding different cultures. Asking for a diet recall from a patient I observed his elevated blood sugar levels but wasn’t quite able to connect the why. After a little more discussion I then realized, ‘tortillas’ were a staple at every meal. Little did I know he assumed I knew tortillas were included at every meal!. Talk about not only an eye opener but also an opportunity to celebrate a world of flavors – each component of that meal merged flavors that he didn’t want to miss out on!
Growing up in Miami has allowed me to not only gain knowledge of many different cultural dishes, but also be able to taste test authentic dishes! One interesting thing is that each country may have their own unique spin on a dish, yet also give a different name for something prepared quite similarly. I make sure to show pictures and ask lots of questions about how dishes are created. Each weekend I’ve been eating out different traditional dishes. The latest ones I’ve tried: black beans and rice (as voted #1 in Hialeah), Pan con Tomate y Patatas Bravas, and Bean and Cheese Tamales.
Variety: Celebrate a World of Flavors
Variety really is the spice of life. Pun intended! Miami is a mecca of great restaurants and great food. While I love to create and cook homemade most of the time, I’ve also been trying to support local too. One more positive from this pandemic. I’m not sure if I have a favorite cuisine. I really do love most food and love to experiment and try new flavors! Every now and then I am a little hesitant if I’m unsure with some seafood, but for the most part I’ll at least give it a try once!
Inclusion: Celebrate a World of Flavors
Working in the field of diabetes there are quite a few myths/beliefs that are out there. One I try to dispel all the time is that certain foods can’t/shouldn’t be eaten. In diabetes either the insulin is not responding and/or is not being produced in a sufficient amount. All foods can fit. It’s a matter of learning how your body responds as well as paying attention to the portion sizes consumed. Now don’t misconstrue what I’m saying. Desserts for your carbohydrate fuel source for every meal is not recommended, although we should include desserts. Rather hearing: “no white foods” from a healthcare practitioner is not helpful but rather hurtful. All foods fit, your cultural foods included (and especially!)
Explore: Celebrate a World of Flavors
I haven’t been traveling as I’ve wanted to since the pandemic hit. Instead I’ve been trying different local restaurants out to be able to explore different cultural foods. And when I don’t order out, I’m making dishes at home. Food is a language of love, culture, connection, and a ton of memories.
This National Nutrition Month, I encourage you to not only try a few new foods, but also to reflect on your culture too. I’ve always wanted to make homemade spaghetti sauce. Even though I might not get the ‘secret’ recipe from our family restaurant, guaranteed I’ll be exploring more homemade pasta and attempts at a spaghetti sauce recipe. Happy National Nutrition Month®!
