Good God, it's March already! And if you didn't know this, you will now. March is National Nutrition Month! This year's theme (which is decided annually by the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics) is "Savor the Flavor of Eating Right". I am a firm believe that your eating style and food choices shouldn't be punishment. Fad diets come and go and can leave you feeling deprived, nutrient deficient and guilty when you eat something "not on the list". Say YES to real food! Below are some lifelong tips to towards better health.1. Think outside the (cereal) box. With the exception of oatmeal, many breakfast cereals will leave you feeling hungrier sooner. Make a turkey wrap or PB and J sandwich for breakfast instead. Or try Greek yogurt with ground flaxseed and frozen fruit or leftovers for something different.2. Buy yourself a water bottle. This is portable and cheaper than buying bottled water all the time. Many people drink more when using a cup with a straw. Aim to fill it (and drink it) with each meal or snack. We could all use a little less coffee, soda, alcohol and MORE water.3. Chew your food, don't drink your calories. I may be fighting a losing battle with the smoothie people, but I'm a firm believe that for sustainable energy and satiety (feeling of fullness), it's better to EAT your calories than drink them. If you've got teeth and a small intestine, let your body do the digestion! 4. Try new herbs and spices to season your food. Add ginger, lemon or garlic to vegetables. Cook rice or quinoa in chicken broth, onions and herbs. Bland food is boring!5. Hire an RD if you need nutrition advice. An RD (Registered Dietitian) is the REAL DEAL when it comes to nutrition expertise! We have, at minimum a 4-year degree, have completed a comprehensive dietetic internship, passed a national board exam and do 15 hours of continuing education every year. Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. Be a savvy consumer. Ask for credentials. A nutritionist is more likely to recommend extreme or fad diets (like gluten or dairy free or low carb), recommend bogus allergy or food sensitivity testing or try to sell you vitamin or mineral supplements that you probably don't need. To learn more about the profession or to find an RD near you, check out www.eatright.org