The month of March–for most people–means the beginning of spring.  And spring, as we all know, brings with it a sense of reawakening as people try to get back into better and healthier living habits following a long winter spent inside.

For Guthrie County Hospital’s Registered Dietitian Carol Laughery, one way to get back into healthy living is by adopting better nutrition, and that seems fitting given that it is National Nutrition Month.

As established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the theme for this year’s National Nutrition Month is “enjoy the taste of eating right,” and Laughery says her hospital is doing something to specifically play off that theme.

“This month in the cafeteria at the hospital, we are offering a new recipe–featuring one each week–on Fridays.  Last week we had a “mexi-quinoa” dish that was very well-received, so we’ll continue to feature that.”

Laughery says she’s also formed a nutritional support group of sorts specifically for National Nutrition Month… she explains what that entails.

“On Wednesdays at 1pm, I’m offering a (class) “aim for a healthy weight,” which is just kind of a little group that I’ve put together of people that might know what they want to do as far as getting healthy but just need a little more support.”

Laughery’s healthy weight group meets in the hospital’s fitness center, and the group will convene for another three weeks.

Specifically in relation to the theme of this year’s National Nutrition Month, Laughery does have a challenge for area residents.  She wants us to “explore new foods and flavors” by picking out and incorporating foods into our diet that we normally wouldn’t, and then she wants us to see how long we can sustain that exploratory diet.

Area residents who would like to participate in Laughery’s healthy weight group can call her at 641-332-3831.