According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowans wasted over 550,000 tons of food in 2017. Items accounting for 20% of documented landfills could actually help personal nutrition. It’s fitting then that the theme for National Nutrition Month is “Go Further with Food.”

Guthrie County Hospital Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Carol Laughery encourages those who are looking for improvements to their personal nutrition to go for the natural options. “We think of what the push is right now in disease prevention. So many times it includes using a supplement or buying this special product but really when you look at what’s in your cupboard or what you purchase at the grocery store, you can go further with the food that you buy.”

Laughery particularly emphasizes proper preparation with fruits and vegetables. She also suggests composting excess skin or peels and setting aside time to make meals days in advance.