National Nutrition Month

National Nutrition Month^® serves as an annual reminder that nutrition plays a powerful role in overall health, well-being and quality of life. Beyond fueling the body, proper nutrition can also play a meaningful role in preventing disease, supporting treatment, and improving health outcomes — an approach known as food as medicine.

2026 Theme: Discover the Power of Nutrition

Every March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) leads the celebration of National Nutrition Month^®, a nationwide education and awareness campaign focused on helping people make informed food choices and develop healthy eating and physical activity habits that can be sustained all year long.

This year’s theme highlights how thoughtful food and lifestyle choices can empower individuals and communities to thrive. This year’s focus encourages people of all ages to explore how nutrition impacts physical health, mental well-being, energy levels, and long-term health — while recognizing that food can be both nourishing and enjoyable.

Food as medicine uses the power of nutrition to support health

Food as medicine recognizes the critical role that nutrition plays in preventing, managing, and treating chronic disease. For individuals living with conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or malnutrition, access to appropriate, nourishing food can directly influence health outcomes and quality of life.

Research continues to show that medically appropriate meals, nutrition education, and support from registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs):

• Improve diet quality and nutrient intake
• Support disease management and recovery
• Reduce hospitalizations and health care utilization
• Enhance overall well-being

By integrating nutrition into health care, food as medicine approaches help bridge the gap between clinical care and everyday eating.

Why National Nutrition Month^® matters

National Nutrition Month^® began in 1973 as National Nutrition Week and expanded to a month-long observance in 1980. Today, it remains rooted in science-based nutrition guidance and provides an opportunity each year to refocus on healthy, sustainable habits.

Throughout March, the Academy emphasizes the importance of working with RDNs, credentialed experts who are trained to translate nutrition science into practical, personalized guidance. These professionals play a key role in helping individuals apply food as medicine principles in ways that align with clients’ medical needs, cultural preferences and lifestyles.

Mom’s Meals^® registered dietitians (RDs) and RDNs can help

• Research and development RDs and RDNs:
  • Calculate the nutrient content of meals, as well as provide nutrition and ingredient information to clients and staff
  • Design our medically tailored meals to support most common nutrition-sensitive conditions as well as dietary needs and preferences
• Nutrition counseling and education provided by RDs and RDNs are part of Mom’s Meals food as medicine solutions. They support clinical engagement and the transition to nutrition self-management for improved outcomes by helping clients:
  • Select the right medically tailored meals and/or medically supportive food service
  • Understand menu options and how to tailor menu selections
  • Learn about healthy eating for their condition, including portion size
  • Set meaningful and achievable goals to improve eating habits when the service ends
  • Come up with recipe and meal prep ideas with ingredients they prefer and can access
  • Connect to healthy and affordable food in their communities

• Commercial team RDNs build relationships with strategic partners, and work with agencies and health plans to establish Mom’s Meals as their food as medicine solutions provider.

How to participate in National Nutrition Month^®

National Nutrition Month^® is for everyone — whether you are managing a chronic condition, supporting a loved one, or simply looking to improve overall health. Participation can be simple, practical and it can make a difference.

Ways to take part include:

• Making informed food choices that support your health goals
• Choosing foods that align with medical or nutritional needs
• Trying new nutrient-dense foods and recipes
• Balancing eating habits with regular physical activity
• Seeking guidance from an RD or RDN

Mom’s Meals food as medicine solutions harness the power of nutrition

National Nutrition Month^® is an opportunity to reflect on the role food plays in health — not just today, but over a lifetime. By discovering the power of nutrition and embracing food as medicine, individuals can take meaningful steps toward better health, improved outcomes and general well-being.

This focus aligns closely with the Mom’s Meals mission of improving life through better nutrition at home. Mom’s Meals delivers the nation’s most comprehensive food as medicine solutions, including medically tailored meals, produce and pantry boxes, oral nutrition supplements, shelf-stable, kosher and halal meals, and nutrition counseling and education to help people live healthier.

Our evidence-based solutions meet specific dietary needs, taste great and reliably reach homes others cannot. We improve health outcomes, lower costs, and bring comfort and dignity to those who need it most.

We offer medically tailored meals for most common nutrition-sensitive chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, heart and renal diseases along with gluten-free and vegetarian options:

• 9 delicious menus and 60+ meal choices
• Designed by registered dietitians and crafted by professional chefs
• Made from high-quality ingredients
• Produced in USDA- and FDA- inspected facilities

Mom’s Meals are free from added MSG, partially hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup, added trans fats, artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and preservatives banned in the European Union. Our meal trays do not contain harmful chemicals often found in black plastics, including BPA, phthalates and certain flame retardants like brominated and organophosphate compounds.

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