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Marking National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month, and Geisinger Health System has a few things going on to celebrate it. Food is obviously something we all need every day.  Bu...

March is National Nutrition Month, and Geisinger Health System has a few things going on to celebrate it.

Food is obviously something we all need every day.  But the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics wants you to Savor the Flavor of Eating Right.  That's the theme of National Nutrition Month, which is just beginning.

"It's not a matter of mindlessly eating in front of the tv and the next thing you know a bag of popcorn's gone. It's- I'm feeling full, I'm happy with the food I've had, now I can stop," said Kaitlin Gill, a dietetic intern at Geisinger, who talked about mindful eating.  Examples of that would be relaxing while you eat, enjoying every bite, and stopping when you're full.

Mindful eating changed Julia Grocki's life.  The former emotional eater is now a clinical dietitian at Geisinger who stresses the importance of looking at "why" you're eating, not just "what."

"Most of the time we're reaching for food, it's not actually food we need. We need a hug, we need a nap, we need 5 minutes without a text message going off in our ear," said Grocki.

To mark National Nutrition Month, Geisinger is sponsoring a contest on Instagram, open to anyone.  Officials are asking people to post pictures of themselves being mindful, eating healthfully or taking a walk, for example.

"After they take the picture all they have to do is #GeisingerMindful and they'll be entered into a contest. They get one entry but they can post as many times as they like," explained Gill.

At the end of the month, two names will be drawn, and the winners will each get a bag of healthy items.  There is also a food drive going on through the month at many Geisinger locations, with an emphasis on donating healthy foods.

"We're looking for low sodium or reduced sodium soups, canned beans and canned vegetables, whole grain products like pasta and rice," said Michelle Picciocchi, a dietetic intern at GMC.

That is echoed by Gretchen Hunt, Director of Nutrition Programs at Weinberg Regional Food Bank.  She says shelf-stable protein is especially important, items like canned chicken and tuna or peanut butter.

"For National Nutrition Month we can tell the story of how important healthy eating is to the consumers of our food, those who can't afford to shop at the grocery store like you and I do, and they need healthy food as well," Hunt said.

JULIA GROCKI'S MINDFUL EATING SEMINARS

  • Geisinger Medical Center
    Henry Hood Center for Health Research, Auditorium
    100 N. Academy Ave., Danville
    Tuesday, March 1 ● 6 p.m.
  • Geisinger Community Medical Center
    Professional Building Auditorium
    1800 Mulberry St., Scranton
    Tuesday, March 8 ● 6 p.m.
  • Geisinger Lewistown Hospital
    Classroom 4
    400 Highland Ave., Lewistown
    Thursday, March 24 ● 6 p.m.
  • Geisinger Wyoming Valley
    Kistler Learning Centers
    1000 East Mountain Blvd., Wilkes-Barre
    Wednesday, March 30 ● 6 p.m.

Register online at events.geisinger.org or call 800-275-6401 and say 'CareLink.'

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