March is recognized as National Nutrition Month, encouraging individuals to make informed food choices and develop sound eating habits. This month and year-round, the university offers programs and resources to support you.
Prepare nutritious foods at home
Making healthier meals at home doesn’t have to be hard or time consuming. In MHealthy’s free virtual cooking classes, chefs and dietitians demonstrate how to make easy and delicious nutrient dense foods in about 30 minutes. Registration opens March 18 for April cooking classes. Sign up here to get notified when registration opens.
Hundreds of healthy recipes are also available in the MHealthy recipe database, searchable by ingredient, course, cooking style and more. Many of the most popular recipes also include short cooking videos that feature time-saving tips for selecting, cleaning, cutting and cooking fresh ingredients.
Choose healthier dining choices
If you’re dining at a university eatery or grabbing a snack from the vending machine, look for this five-sliced citrus icon. Use the labeling system to learn a food item’s nutrient density in order to make more informed food choices. The more slices filled, the more nutrient dense the food.
Pick up fresh produce on campus
Through a partnership between MHealthy and Argus Farm Stop, weekly produce boxes are available for convenient pick up on or near the Ann Arbor campus. Produce boxes are $30 per week and contain six to nine seasonal, locally-grown produce items hand-selected by Argus Farm Stop staff. Argus works with more than 50 small farms in Michigan that prioritize sustainable growing practices.
Ensure food security for all
Having access to healthy foods shouldn’t be a privilege. The Maize & Blue Cupboard food pantry provides U-M faculty, staff and students, who have an immediate need, with nutritious and nourishing food and the ability to prepare it for themselves or others.
MHealthy also partners with the Michigan State Extension Program to offer faculty and staff food security programs. These are free and designed to help you eat healthier while incorporating physical activity into your budget and lifestyle. Funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, these programs are available to individuals living in Michigan who meet certain income requirements.
Rethink your relationship with food
Based on the concept of intuitive eating, Nourish Your Whole Self helps you build a lifestyle focused on being thankful for your body, being kind to yourself, and eating and moving meaningfully. Registration reopens April 1 for new, 12-week sessions. Sign up to be notified.
Access online learning tools
The MHealthy Portal, powered by Asset Health, includes a number of nutrition-related programs and resources. Try out the Virtual Grocery Store, courses, goal setting and more. The portal is available to active benefits-eligible faculty and staff and their U-M health plan enrolled spouse/OQA.
National Nutrition Month was created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This year's theme is "Beyond the Table," addresses the farm-to-fork aspect of nutrition and the various ways we eat — not only around a dinner table, but also on the go, in schools and restaurants, and at games and events.
Find more nutrition-related programs and resources on MHealthy's website.
