LAS VEGAS — As National Nutrition Month gets underway, the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) urges area residents to learn how to make informed food choices and develop healthful eating habits. This year’s campaign encourages consumers to “fuel for the future” when planning meals and snacks.

As a philosopher once said, “Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.” While it’s clear that food is the fuel that people need to keep their bodies running smoothly, it can often be difficult for people to meet nutrition guidelines. SNHD recommends planning meals and snacks to stay nourished and stretch limited food budgets.

Other tips include:

• Eat a variety of foods from all food groups.
• Avoid fad diets that promote unnecessary restrictions.
• Instead of throwing away leftovers, find creative ways to use them.
• Buy foods in season and shop locally when possible.
• Help the environment by purchasing foods with minimal packaging.

Some people may need help to ensure they are getting proper nutrition, and there are community resources and governmental programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children and local food banks such as Three Square that offer support and assistance. This school year, the Clark County School District (CCSD) offers free school meals to all students in CCSD, including breakfast and lunch options.

District Health Officer Fermin Leguen urges people to learn more about SNHD programs that enhance available resources. More information is available on the agency’s Get Healthy Clark County website which offers a wealth of resources about nutrition. This includes the Nutrition Challenge, a free eight-week online program to help people increase the number of fruits and vegetables they eat each day. The site also features the SNAP Cooking App and a listing of farmers markets that accept SNAP. A Spanish version of the site is available at Viva Saludable.