Discover the Power of Nutrition

February 27, 2026Plate Method Wellness Insights

March is National Nutrition Month, and the 2026 theme is Discover the Power of Nutrition! The foods we eat on a regular basis affect how we feel each day and our ability to prevent and manage certain health conditions. March is a great time to reflect on whether your daily nutrition practices are supporting you in the ways you need. And if not, to identify small changes you can make to ensure the power of nutrition is working in your favor.

Power Your Day with Nutrition

In the most basic sense, food is fuel for our bodies, like gasoline is fuel for a car. When there is too much or not enough, things don’t run very smoothly. To feel your best and accomplish all that you need to do on a daily basis, balanced nutrition is essential. Luckily, achieving balance doesn’t require calculations or overly complicated measuring. Building a meal by dividing your plate into sections ensures the foods you choose support your body in the way you need them to. At Summerfield, we use the Plate Method as a flexible framework.

The Plate Method – How it Works

Designate ¼ of your plate for starches or carbohydrate-rich foods, such as fruits, whole grains, beans, and starchy vegetables (peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and winter squash). Fill another ¼ with protein-rich foods, such as lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy, soy, lentils, and legumes. The remaining ½ plate is reserved for nutrient-dense non-starchy veggies. Aim for a colorful variety throughout your day to reap all the benefits, including broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, spinach, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and so many more! Eating this way will aid in stable energy and balanced blood sugar levels, providing the mix of macronutrients and micronutrients you need.

Sound Advice that is Science-Backed

If you’re managing a health condition, your diet may need a bit more customization. Working with a Registered Dietitian ensures you receive guidance grounded in research. Dietitians are nutrition experts who have studied the science of nutrition and the anatomy of the human body and must stay up to date on research to best serve their patients. Nutrition is a young science, so the data is ever-changing as more clinical trials produce better understanding and insights. This can also lead to conflicting media messages regarding factors such as potential research bias, individual experience, and food industry influence. Despite any claims you may see online, there is no single best or worst food or way of eating for everyone. Each person is highly individual in terms of their likes, dislikes, budget, time, and access to food. Partnering with a registered dietitian ensures you have access to the right information and can develop a plan to support your health.

Staying Nourished on a Budget

Another consideration for harnessing the power of nutrition that a dietitian can help with is navigating the cost of food as a possible barrier to eating healthy. Implementing a few budget-friendly strategies may stretch food dollars farther. To start, use online ads, in-store flyers, and apps/perks/coupons to see which items are on sale when planning what to purchase before you shop. Consider building meals around these items, possibly swapping in other products if it could mean saving. For example, when boneless, skinless chicken thighs are on sale, they can easily be used in most recipes that call for boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Since darker meat is a bit higher in fat, you may choose to adjust the recipe to use less oil or butter.

Other swaps to consider include utilizing frozen vegetables in place of fresh ones. Aim to save on the vegetables you prefer cooked by choosing frozen instead, and prioritize fresh for the vegetables you enjoy raw. Frozen prechopped bell peppers and onions work great for burrito bowls, frozen broccoli florets are an easy option to steam or roast, and stir-fry veggie blends pair great with a sauce, noodles, and your choice of protein. Since animal products like meat and dairy are often the most expensive, you might aim to have one meatless dinner each week. If you’re new to plant-based eating, check out this section of our blog for inspiration. Or keep it simple by swapping in beans, lentils, tempeh, or tofu for ground meat or chopped/sliced chicken in your go-to recipes. Find additional tips for eating healthy on a budget here.

Feel Good with Healthy Habits

All these things have the greatest impact when implemented consistently. But building new habits isn’t easy; it takes time, repetition, and a belief in the value these actions will add. Many of our patients find that working with a dietitian is essential to establishing a solid foundation for healthy behaviors. At Summerfield, we know that it’s not about “if” something happens that gets in the way of your plan, but rather knowing it will and planning for that day. In a nutrition appointment, you can discuss challenges that have gotten in the way when you’ve tried to make changes in the past, so you can craft a plan to overcome barriers like these in the future.

If you’d love to make eating more balanced meals a habit, start with the meal that feels like the easiest one to improve upon. What changes could you make? What amount of planning or prep would be beneficial? Could you prepare a recipe that yields leftovers so you can cook once and have multiple meals, saving time? Focus on the benefits of implementing these new practices to help your mind recognize these habits as a valuable time investment.

Habits are more easily formed through consistency with our regular actions and behaviors. If dining out is part of your routine, consider prioritizing nutrient-rich options by applying tools like the Plate Method when dining out. This might look like selecting an option with more vegetables included or adding a vegetable to the dish. Restaurant offerings tend to be heavier on starches, sometimes providing 2-3 portions per meal. Check whether the menu includes veggie-only options in its additional sides section, as these can be swapped in for a starch portion.

Harnessing the Power of Nutrition

To ensure the power of nutrition is working in your favor, consider which area is of the greatest need and benefit for you right now. Is it building more balanced meals with a tool like the Plate Method? Seeking science-backed advice over online claims? Planning within your budget to make healthy eating sustainable? Establishing healthy habits so trendy diets lose their appeal once and for all? Whatever your goal or intention, working with a dietitian is an incredible way to support your success.