March is known as National Nutrition Month, and an expert in Dallas County keys in on important measures to lead to a healthier diet.

Community Health Educator Natalie Peters highlights positives about feeding your body proper nutrients that contribute to improvement of the heart, mental stability, aiding digestion, and supporting bone and muscle, amongst other things. She notes that people should aim to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables; two servings of protein with lean meats or low-fat dairy products; and a few tablespoons of natural fats containing olive oil, avocados, and nuts. Peters lists tips to try in order to make healthier choices with eating.

“Plan your meals out each week, so that you know exactly what to buy. So that you’re limiting food waste or impulsive purchases at the grocery store. Also, keep it simple, so when cooking in a time crunch, if you just focus on getting all the core food groups rather than worrying about following a recipe, that can kind of save you time. Another tip is to meal prep and save leftovers, so again when life gets busy, having some pre-made healthy meals and snacks on hand is a huge help.”

Peters adds to begin with small changes to a diet, so you don’t become overwhelmed. She recommends visiting the Iowa State University Extension “Spend Smart, Eat Smart” website to gain even more healthier suggestions.