March is National Nutrition Month and the Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (SAND) wants campus to be informed.

The president of SAND, senior Lisi Padilla, said that on March 26, there was a food tasting in the cafeteria from 11a.m.–1p.m. Director of Dietetics Lisa Ritchie said that they had a similar event two years ago to try to motivate students to try new food.

“Sometimes, if you have not tried it before then you are not going to pick it up in the grocery store,” Ritchie said.

Nutrition and dietetics major senior Lindsay Crowder is in her fourth year in SAND.

“We want students to become more aware, we want them to open their minds to trying different things,” Crowder said.

SAND is also involved with the nutrition on campus. Senior Food Service Director, Lou Christopher, has worked with a wide range of age groups and said this generation seems to be more focused on eating healthy and being steadfast in that desire. Christopher said the change in the food served in the cafeteria accommodating to this desire has been gradual.

“The healthy ethic was just an adjustment,” Christopher said. “A different menu mix, making sure we are no longer loading up vegetables with butter and trying to make sure we have a steamed option. Even soup-wise, making sure there is some kind of vegetable option.”

Ritchie said this time of year is usually when it seems that students have the biggest desire to get healthy. People want a fresh start from the holiday foods they have been eating for the past months.

Making the right food choices is a necessary part of biting into a healthy lifestyle. A registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) can help. To learn more and to find an RDN in your area visit www.eatright.org.

For more information about campus activities for National Nutrition Month, contact nutrition@harding.edu.