Food is all about taste and the foods we enjoy are the ones we eat most. That is why, as part of National Nutrition Month 2014, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages everyone to “Enjoy the taste of eating right!” This year’s theme focuses on combining taste and nutrition to create healthy meals that follow the recommendations of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

At the grocery store make it a point to try one new fruit, vegetable or whole grain each week. Start small by choosing a different kind of apple, a different color potato or a new flavor of whole grain rice. Add variety to your staple dishes by varying the way that you cook them: steam the vegetables that you normally saute’ or grill the chicken that you normally bake. And get to know your spice rack! A pinch of this or/and a dash of that can add a fresh taste to and old favorite.