March is National Nutrition Month!

 National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthy eating habits. This year’s theme is “Personalize Your Plate.” There is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition and health. We are all unique with different bodies, goals, backgrounds, and tastes! A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist can tailor a healthful eating plan that is as special as you are.

The theme “Personalize Your Plate” is very fitting for the long-term care setting as we strive to make all of our care person-centered, getting to know the people we are working with and meeting their needs in the manner that is most like they would in their own home. Each person is assessed on admission for nutrition risk and visited by myself or the culinary mentor to inquire about food preferences, dislikes, allergies, ethnic or religious requirements. Care plans are created with this input from each resident. Our diets at The Neighbors are liberalized, they contain minimal restrictions, to allow the most flexibility and choice for varied intake and to promote optimal nutritional status for residents. Nutritional status has a big impact on healing, strengthening, and disease management so it is not surprising that meals and snacks are a big part of the care we give.

Families are important to us as well and so I wanted to share a brief article to help you eat and live healthily, click here!

Here’s to your health!
Carrie McKnight RDN