National Nutrition Month

March of each year is National Nutrition Month. It is sponsored by the American Dietetic Association, whose goals are to raise awareness about the importance of good nutrition and promote the dietetics field. This page contains links to popular resources and websites that provide details and information about National Nutrition Month. If you've been meaning to take a second look at your nutrition and dietary intake, March is the perfect time to actually do it. Read on to learn what to do and what steps you can take to make National Nutrition Month something you'll benefit from.

• 1973: Started as a week long event by American Dietitic Association.

• 1974: "Promotion kit" produced to aid dietitians in organizing events.

• 1977: "Nutribird," a character depicted with a "head of lettuce and a carrot beak," becomes ADA mascot. Professional dietitians attend events in Nutribird costumes, to promote National Nutrition Week.

• 1980: Becomes a month long observance.

• 1987: National Nutritian Month posters appear in sitcoms Head of the Class and Growing Pains.

• 1992: Slogan is "Eat Right America!"

• 1993: ADA collaborates with McDonald's on "Food FUNdamentals" educational campaign.

• 1998: Slogan is "Make Nutrition Come Alive (It's All About You)"

• 2008: Slogan is "Nutrition: It's a Matter of Fact"

There are many different food holidays during the month of March. Some include National Banana Cream Pie Day on March 2nd, National Potato Chip Day on March 14th and National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day on March 29th. For the most part, these days celebrate food that is quite unhealthy. Considering that March is National Nutrition Month, you may prefer to enjoy these holidays in moderation or skip them all together.