Nutrition
Healthy eating, happy glucose: Tips for National Healthy Eating Day
By Shetal Desai Rautela, RDN, CDCES
Nov. 6, 2024 • 4 min read
The content in this article should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider regarding your individual health needs.
Each year, National Healthy Eating Day is observed on the first Wednesday of November, and this year it falls on November 6. It’s the perfect time to reflect on how to eat well, especially as the holidays approach, and to fully engage our senses in making nourishing food choices that fuel our bodies.
Originally part of the American Heart Association’s My Heart. My Life. initiative, the origins of this day aren’t well documented, yet its message continues to resonate nationwide. It encourages us to think beyond what’s on our plate, exploring the delicious possibilities of nutritious eating while highlighting the role it plays in reducing the risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
National Healthy Eating Day also serves as a reminder for people of all ages to rethink their eating habits and encourages communities to learn more about where our food comes from, going beyond the table to explore the larger food system.
What exactly is
"healthy eating"?
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), healthy eating is all about making smart food choices. This means opting for meals and snacks that are rich in colorful vegetables and fruits, choosing less processed and more whole grains, selecting lean meats, and going for low-fat dairy. When it comes to fats, the AHA recommends favoring plant-based options over animal fats.
The AHA also highlights the importance of choosing foods that energize us, rather than leaving us feeling sluggish. Certain foods, particularly those high in added sugars, empty calories (like sodas and sweets), or unhealthy fats (like croissants and fries), can drain our energy instead of fueling it.
5 great ways to celebrate National Healthy Eating Day
- Limit or avoid your favorite sugary drink, be it a can of soda, fruit juice, or flavored coffee.
- Include at least one home-prepped meal using this plate as a visual guide.
- Replace a meat entree with a plant-based protein, such as tofu or legumes.
- Color your plate with a choice of vivid veggies and try an in-season fruit for a snack.
- Hydrate by drinking water, non-caffeinated tea, or sparkling water with every meal and throughout the day.
- Share a healthy recipe (like this yummy one) with friends or co-workers, or post it on social media.
Keep your health journey going
Let National Healthy Eating Day be the start of something bigger—aim for a healthy eating week, followed by a month, and soon it can turn into a year of positive change. It all begins at home, and these small steps can easily extend to our workplaces, schools, and communities. Every little change matters on the journey toward a healthier you and a healthier nation.
The production of this article was sponsored by Stelo by Dexcom.
Author profile
SD
Shetal Desai Rautela, RDN, CDCES
Shetal Desai Rautela, RDN, CDCES, is a registered dietitian, diabetes care, and education specialist with 15+ years of expertise in diabetes, metabolic health, and child nutrition.