Fort Wayne, IND. – March 4, 2024 – With big holiday meals behind us and winter hibernation coming to a close, it’s a great time to think about healthy eating.
As March begins, Parkview is celebrating the return of National Nutrition Month and hosting several local events to provide residents tips, tricks and good habits for eating healthy.
Since 1973, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has hosted National Nutrition Month, an annual campaign with a focus on learning how to make informed food choices and creating lifelong healthy habits.
A healthy diet plays an important role in maintaining good personal health. About 7-in-10 Hoosiers are overweight and about 37% are obese, making Indiana one of the heaviest states. Obesity is a complicating factor in many chronic diseases including high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease, but combining a good diet and exercise can help keep weight under control and contribute to overall better health.
“Good eating habits play such a pivotal role your overall health picture by helping you reach recommended intakes of vitamins and nutrients, generating sufficient energy and maintaining a healthy weight,” said Katie Fulk, community outreach dietitian, Parkview Health. “Improving your diet doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Making incremental changes over time is the best path to change your habits and make them stick, and our dietitians and nutritionists at Parkview can help you identify ways to make changes that stick.”Throughout National Nutrition Month, visit the Parkview blog at Parkview.com/blog and follow Parkview on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for posts about nutrition. Follow the Center for Healthy Living classes and events for more opportunities at Parkview.com/chlevents and sign up for the Center for Healthy Living Newsletter for tips and events year-round at Parkview.com/newslettersignup.
Area residents also will have the opportunity to take part in the following local events throughout March:
Allen County
Nutrition and Lifestyle Habits for Hypertension Reduction
Tuesday, March 12, 5 – 6 p.m.
Parkview Center for Healthy Living Learning Kitchen, Woodland Plaza, 1234 E. Dupont Road, Fort Wayne, IN
About half of adults in the United States have hypertension (high blood pressure). Join Lydia Hall, RDN, LD, Parkview Center for Healthy Living, community outreach dietitian, to learn more about hypertension and discuss how small changes in nutrition and lifestyle habits can improve blood pressure and reduce overall health risk.
Cost: Free
Registration required. | Call 260-266-6500 or toll free at 844-835-0003.
Pontiac Street Market: Grocery Store Tour
Wednesday, March 20, 10:30 a.m.
Pontiac Street Market, 918 E. Pontiac St., Fort Wayne, IN
Have you ever wondered if you’re making the best decisions at the grocery store for you and your family? Grocery shopping can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be! Join Lydia Hall, RDN, LD, community outreach dietitian, Parkview Center for Healthy Living, at Pontiac Street Market to learn grocery shopping tips, expand your nutrition and health knowledge, and gain more confidence in selecting your groceries. The tour will take about 30 minutes with time for questions during and following the tour.
Cost: Free
Registration required. | Call 260-266-6500 or toll free at 844-835-0003.
Medicine in the Garden: Greens
Wednesday, March 20, 6 – 7 p.m.
Parkview Greenhouse & Learning Kitchen, 1716 Beacon St., Fort Wayne, IN
Join Rachel Reiter, RDN, LD, community outreach dietitian, Parkview Health, for a monthly series that focuses on produce either in season or being grown in the Parkview Greenhouse. Rachel will share about greens for the month of March, as well as their nutritional value, ways to add them to dishes and the power of produce. Join in-person for a taste of greens.
Cost: Free
Registration required. | Call 260-266-6500 or toll free at 844-835-0003.
Beyond the Table – Meals On-the-Go
Thursday, March 21, 5 – 6 p.m.
Parkview Center for Healthy Living Learning Kitchen, Woodland Plaza, 1234 E. Dupont Road, Fort Wayne, IN
In our busy world, it can be challenging to be mindful and make healthy food choices. Join Lydia Hall, RDN, LD community outreach dietitian, Parkview Center for Healthy Living, for this cooking demonstration of two on-the-go options to pack.
Cost: Free
Registration required. | Call 260-266-6500 or toll free at 844-835-0003.
Healthy Cooking Demo: Blue Zones – Costa Rica
Wednesday, March 27, 6 – 7 p.m.
Parkview Greenhouse & Learning Kitchen, 1716 Beacon St., Fort Wayne, IN
Did you know there are places in the world called blue zones where people naturally live long, happy, healthy lives? Researchers have discovered that in blue zones, genetics is only responsible for about 20% of how long you live, which means other factors are behind 80% of longevity. Join Rachel Reiter, RDN, LD, community outreach dietitian, Parkview Health, for an interesting nutritional series on blue zones. This month she will discuss blue zones and Costa Rica while exploring the culture and the nine powerful habits for a life of longevity. Join in-person for a taste of Costa Rica.
Cost: Free
Registration required. | Call 260-266-6500 or toll free at 844-835-0003.
Kids in the Kitchen
Thursday, March 28, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Union Street Market, West Hall 2nd Floor Learning Kitchen, 1622 Broadway, Fort Wayne, IN
Kids in the Kitchen is a hands-on cooking and nutrition class for kids. In the class, children will receive practical nutrition education on the MyPlate diagram, kitchen safety and reading a recipe. Then, students have an opportunity to follow a recipe and create their own masterpieces. Join Katie Fulk, MA, RDN, LD, youth and family well-being registered dietitian, Parkview Health, for an engaging and delicious cooking class!
Cost: Free
Note: Ages 3+. One adult must attend with each child. Registration is limited. Registration closes at noon on Tuesday, March 26.
Registration required. | Call 260-266-6500 or toll free at 844-835-0003.
Kosciusko County
Martin’s Supermarket: Grocery Store Tour
Tuesday, March 26, 2 – 2:45 p.m.
Martin’s Supermarket, 1150 Husky Trail, Warsaw, IN, meet at Martin’s Customer Service
Have you ever wondered if you’re making the best decisions at the grocery store for you and your family? Grocery shopping can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be! Plan to join Lydia Hall, RDN, LD, community outreach dietitian, Parkview Center for Healthy Living at Martin’s Supermarket for your very own guided grocery tour with a registered dietitian! Plan to learn grocery shopping tips, expand your nutrition and health knowledge, gain more confidence in selecting your groceries. The tour will take about 30 minutes with time for questions during and the following the tour.
Cost: Free
Registration required.
Martin’s School of Cooking: Beyond the Table – Meals On-the-Go
Tuesday, March 26, 6 – 7 p.m.
Martin’s Supermarket, 1150 Husky Trail, Warsaw, IN, Martin’s School of Cooking, second floor
In our busy world, it can be challenging to be mindful and make healthful food choices. Join Lydia Hall, RDN, LD, Parkview Center for Healthy Living, community outreach dietitian at Martin’s School of Cooking to learn two on-the-go options to pack.
Cost: Free
Registration required.
Noble County
Ask the RD
Thursday, March 21, 9 – 10:30 a.m.
Community Learning Center, 401 E. Diamond St., Kendallville, IN or by phone
Schedule a 20-minute, one-on-one consultation with a registered dietitian to have your questions answered on diet, nutrition or other food-related issues. Guests are welcome to visit in-person or by phone.
Cost: Free
Registration required.
Healthy Cooking Demo – Mediterranean Cooking Series
Thursday, March 14, 5 – 6 p.m.
Community Learning Center, 401 E. Diamond St., Kendallville, IN
Mediterranean-centered cooking is a heart healthy way to incorporate more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to promote longevity. Come join Caitlyn Bauer, RDN, as she prepares a middle eastern staple dish packed with fiber and plant-based protein, deliciously paired with a refreshing side. Samples provided. Spacing is limited, so register early to reserve your spot!
Cost: Free
Registration required.
Other Events
Food for Thought: Nutrition and Your Gut Health via Zoom
Monday, March 25, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Did you know a healthy gut supports your immune system and helps prevent disease? Join Briana Aspy, PA-C, IFMCP, Parkview Physicians Group – Integrative Medicine, for this important conversation about gut health, as she shares information about foods that nourish and maintain your gut microbiome to improve your health from the inside out.
Cost: Free
Call 260‑266‑6500 or toll free at 844‑835‑0003 to register.
Beyond the Table – tasting tables
To inspire nutritional wellness throughout the month of March, Parkview dietitians and Parkview Health Nutrition Services will be hosting “Beyond the Table,” a series of tasting table events that will take place in Parkview hospital cafeterias throughout the region. Tasting tables will feature samples of a variety of entrees and a wealth of nutrition information. Tasting tables will be open from noon to 1 p.m. on the following dates:
- Tuesday, March 5, Parkview Wabash Hospital: Apple pie parfait
- Wednesday, March 6, Parkview Regional Medical Center: Everything sausage avocado toast
- Thursday, March 7, Parkview Hospital Randallia: Everything sausage avocado toast
- Wednesday, March 13, Parkview Regional Medical Center: Szechuan salmon wrap
- Thursday, March 14, Parkview Hospital Randallia: Szechuan salmon wrap
- Tuesday, March 19, Parkview Huntington Hospital: Apple pie parfait
- Wednesday, March 20, Parkview Regional Medical Center: Middle Eastern everything wrap
- Wednesday, March 20, Parkview Hospital Randallia: Middle Eastern everything wrap
- Wednesday, March 20, Parkview Noble Hospital: Wild rice, apple and walnut salad
- Wednesday, March 20, Parkview Whitley Hospital: Wheat berry Waldorf salad
- Thursday, March 21, Parkview Kosciusko Hospital: Wheat berry Waldorf salad
- Friday, March 22, Parkview DeKalb Hospital: Apple pie parfait
- Monday, March 25, Parkview LaGrange Hospital: Wild rice, apple and walnut salad
- Wednesday, March 27, Parkview Regional Medical Center: Baja fish and quinoa tacos
- Thursday, March 28, Parkview Hospital Randallia: Baja fish and quinoa tacos