HER HEALTH

HEALTH

THE TORTOISE & THE HARE’S

MISSION

BY KATIE LUNEY & TARA WIND

March is National Nutrition Month, and there’s no better time to re-evaluate existing goals or set new ones for Healthy You 2022. Eating healthy is no different than other goals. It takes time to reach, and there will be hiccups along the way. You can compare setting nutrition goals to the story of “The Tortoise and the Hare.” Let’s pretend the hare’s only goal was rapid results, and he followed fad diets to lose weight quickly. With these unrealistic expectations, the hare’s motivation decreased, he lost interest and found himself back at the starting line. The tortoise was OK with fewer changes all at once and took the slow, not overnight approach. The tortoise focused on the goal and ended up winning the race, but not without investing in himself along the way.

Here are some suggestions to invest in your nutrition goals, either financially or mentally: • Discover what motivates you. Discover your barriers. These may change with the seasons! • Plan meals for the week, make a grocery list, and set a budget for groceries. Complete meal prep on the weekend.

Saving money and eating healthy is a powerful combination! • Have family members, especially kids, participate in cooking meals. By exposing them early in life, they are more apt to continue to make healthier choices. • Use phone apps to help track your food intake. Use the online support groups or invite friends to track your progress. • Meet with a registered dietitian. Most insurance companies now cover visits! • Try intuitive eating. It slows you down and connects you to food in a different way. You realize reasons for eating besides hunger. You also treat all food the same, not necessarily as good and bad. • Journal! Write down thoughts for the day or week on how you feel compared to foods you have eaten, activity, stress, etc.

When you think back on your health journey, there will be highs and lows, but always remember what you have accomplished along the way.

Tara Wind, MS, RD, LDN is the dietetic internship director at East Carolina University. She completed her undergraduate program at UNC-Chapel Hill and her graduate work at Meredith College. She has been a registered dietitian for more than 20 years.

Katie Luney is an East Carolina University dietetic intern completing her internship in Wilmington.

She graduated with a bachelor's degree in human nutrition and dietetics from the

University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2019. She gained experience as a diet technician in Asheville before continuing her education.

Katie enjoys hiking with her dog in the mountains, photography and cooking delicious meals.