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There is no one food, drink, pill or machine that is the key to achieving optimal health. A person's overall daily routine is what is most important. That is why, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics urges everyone to "Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle."

"Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle" this National Nutrition Month by consuming fewer calories, making informed food choices and getting daily exercise in order to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease and promote overall health. Learn more by visiting the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org.

Each March, the Academy encourages Americans to return to the basics of healthful eating through National Nutrition Month. This year's theme encourages consumers to adopt a healthy lifestyle that is focused on consuming fewer calories, making informed food choices and getting daily exercise in order to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease and promote overall health.

"A healthy lifestyle – one based on regular physical activity and an eating pattern chosen to meet individual nutrient needs within calorie limits – is vital to maintaining good health and quality of life," said registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy President Sonja Connor. "This year's 'Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle' theme gives consumers an easy reminder that achieving optimal health is not about a specific food or time or year, but rather a life-long commitment that leaves plenty of time for the foods and activities we love."

The Academy strives to communicate healthful eating messages that emphasize balancing food and beverages within an individual's energy needs, rather than focusing on any one specific food or meal. To this end, it is the Academy's position that improving overall health requires a lifelong commitment to healthful lifestyle behaviors, emphasizing sustainable and enjoyable eating practices and daily physical activity.

"The key is determining the lifestyle balance that provides the body what it needs, while still allowing room for the foods and activities we enjoy most," Connor said. "This is where the expertise of registered dietitian nutritionists plays such a key role. RDNs work with consumers to find balance and create sustainable eating and physical activity plans that fit their tastes and routines."

Initiated in 1973 as a week-long event, "National Nutrition Week" became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition.

To commemorate the dedication of registered dietitian nutritionists as the leading advocates for advancing the nutritional status of Americans and people around the world, the second Wednesday of each March is celebrated as "Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day." This year Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day will be celebrated March 11.

As part of this public education campaign, the Academy's National Nutrition Month website includes a variety of helpful tips, games, promotional tools and educational resources, all designed to spread the message of good nutrition based on the "Bite into a Healthy Lifestyle" theme.

All registered dietitians are nutritionists – but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. The Academy's Board of Directors and Commission on Dietetic Registration have determined that those who hold the credential-registered dietitian (RD) may optionally use "registered dietitian nutritionist" (RDN) instead. The two credentials have identical meanings.

About  The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics : The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org.