Eating Right, Bite by Bite

By Mackenzie Curtis, RDN and Kristen Hung, MPH, RDN

A marathon begins with a single step. A painting begins with a single stroke. A symphony begins with a single note. Does a healthy diet begin with a single bite?

This month we are celebrating National Nutrition Month by focusing on “Eating Right, Bite by Bite.” While we often equate eating healthier with a complete overhaul of our current dietary habits, this month's theme invites us to consider the impact of the small, mundane eating decisions we make on a daily basis. Our collective bites grow to become our pattern of eating. Our collective steps build into our level of physical activity. Could it be that making small choices, even as small as bites and steps, could be the key to moving toward our health and nutrition goals?

Making lifestyle changes that stick takes time and patience. Oftentimes our current habits and behaviors have been practiced over years. That’s why creating small “bite-sized” goals that we can easily achieve can help slowly build new habits and behaviors along with boosting our confidence in our ability to change. For example, for a person who consumes fast food twice daily, a goal to dine out only twice a week may be too ambitious to begin with. Perhaps a goal of decreasing fast food consumption by a few times a week is a more achievable initial goal. Once that goal is met, you can set another goal to work toward dining out twice a week if that is your desired behavior. Small improvements add up over time and can result in significant and sustainable health related behavior changes in the long run.

As you consider what small changes you might want to implement, reach out for support from family, friends and the community. This can make the process more fun and provide accountability too. Consider working with a dietitian from Torrance Memorial if you need additional guidance on your journey toward health. Improving your health can feel challenging, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it can start with something as simple as a single step or a single bite.

If you have questions or would like further information on leading a healthier lifestyle, contact one of our Registered Dietitian Nutritionists at the Outpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy Office or our Diabetes Self-Management Program located in the Torrance Memorial Specialty Center, 2841 Lomita Blvd., Suite 335, Torrance. Call 310-891-6707. https://www.torrancememorial.org/Nutrition