Celebrate National Nutrition Month with CHAW!

March is National Nutrition Month and for Florida State University’s Center for Health Advocacy & Wellness (CHAW), they are using this month to bring attention and awareness to the importance of mindful eating and resources students can use in order to remain healthy and happy.

CHAW is encouraging students to make healthy lifestyle decisions that facilitate academic success and lead to life-long health and wellness. Throughout National Nutrition Month, CHAW will share their philosophy around nutrition and provide some resources as well.

To kick off the start of National Nutrition Month, CHAW explains its philosophy as "intuitive eating," which is defined as “an approach that allows you to create a healthy relationship with food, mind, and body” and helps avoid the categorization of “good” and “bad” foods.

CHAW wants to promote a positive relationship with food by utilizing evidence-based, peer-reviewed research and national nutrition guidelines to provide the best care and embracing wellness versus weight philosophy, health at every size, and a non-diet, mindful, and intuitive eating approach. CHAW reminds students that a diet mentality can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food and that students should never feel guilty about what they eat, and that eating should not be about deprivation.

In efforts to give students healthy and accessible tools for practicing intuitive eating and being mindful about their body’s needs, CHAW has put together The Savyy Seminole Cookbook, which details some pantry essentials, what kitchen tools students will need, a dictionary of cooking jargon, and of course a plethora of recipes. With this cookbook, students can follow recipes for a variety of meals and snacks, from Overnight Oats, Burrito Bowls, Macaroni and Cheese in a Mug, Avocado Hummus, and more.

In addition to this newly-added resource, students are also able to visit FSU’s Food for Thought Pantry, which is located in University Center A. The Food for Thought Pantry is administering bags of food to students Monday-Friday by appointment only. For more information about hours and how to book an appointment with the Food for Thought Pantry, you can visit their website.

CHAW supplies students with reputable and knowledgeable resources outside of FSU as well, such as MyPlate, which visualizes dietary guidelines and suggestions for Americans and makes sure you’re including enough food groups in your daily diet. Nutrition.gov is a website sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that offers credible information to help you make healthful eating choices as well.

CHAW also includes the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) as a resource for students. NEDA is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders.

For more information about health and wellness in regards to diet and other aspects of student life, visit the CHAW website.