Put Your Best Fork Forward

March is here! What’s not to get excited about? There’s the first day of spring, St. Patrick’s Day, and let’s not forget about National Nutrition Month! As a part of Compass Group, we work together across the nation to get the message out there about healthier eating habits and supporting our environment. This year, let’s put our best fork forward with these four tips:

• Mindful Eating: Plan your meals and snacks ahead of time, and make sure to take a break. Get up and walk to grab your food instead of staying at your desk. You’ll get extra steps in, have a quick mental break and be able to grab your favorite better-for-you snack to recharge you. It’s all about making mindful choices!
• Food Waste: Did you know that 40% of food in the US is wasted? That’s a lot of uneaten food ending up in the landfill. What can we do about it? Let’s pledge to plan ahead. Don’t shop when you’re hungry and always come prepared with a list. Also, here’s a fun fact – those dates marked on food products aren’t always expiration dates unless they’re marked with “expiration” or “use by”. So pay close attention; those numbers are sometimes codes used by the manufacturer.
• Plant Power: Packed with nutrients, moderate calories and less of the “bad” stuff makes plant-based food an easy fit for people working towards a healthier lifestyle. On top of that, plant based foods tend to be more sustainable and less taxing on the environment. Talk about a win-win!
• Whole Grains: Eat about three servings of whole grains (one serving = one slice of whole grain bread) a day to keep your heart happy and healthy.

Happy National Nutrition Month from all of us at Canteen! Let’s work together to support a healthier lifestyle and environment.