Each March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics leads National Nutrition Month®, an annual campaign dedicated to empowering people to make informed food choices and build healthy eating habits. This year’s theme—Discover the Power of Nutrition—highlights how deeply our food choices shape our physical health, mental well‑being, and overall quality of life.
Our Registered Dietitian, Kristie Garner, shares expert insight into how nutrition affects both the body and mind, along with practical steps anyone can take to eat well and feel better.
Why Nutrition Matters
Nutrition isn’t just about maintaining a certain weight or following a trend, it plays a vital role in preventing disease, supporting recovery, and fueling day‑to‑day function.
Chronic diseases account for 70% of deaths in the United States each year, and poor diet is a major contributing factor to conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
Meanwhile, malnutrition affects more than 30% of hospitalized patients nationwide, increasing the risk of complications, prolonging hospital stays, and contributing to functional decline and higher healthcare costs.
And because the brain relies on consistent nourishment, proper nutrition also fuels cognitive function, helping support focus, mood regulation, and mental clarity.
Expert Insight From Our Registered Dietitian
Kristie works daily with patients managing chronic diseases, and she sees firsthand how nutrition shapes their health journeys. She explains:
“I work with many patients living with chronic diseases, and diet plays a significant role in both reducing risk and managing these conditions. Food fuels your body and your brain, so it’s essential to maintain a balanced diet that provides the nutrients you need to function at your best.”
Kristie also emphasizes that nutrition affects far more aspects of life than many people realize:
“Nutrition influences far more aspects of our lives than many people realize. When we prioritize a healthy diet, we set our bodies up for success by providing the energy and essential nutrients needed to support a healthy, fulfilling lifestyle.”
For those who feel overwhelmed by making healthy changes, she offers simple, practical steps to get started:
“If you’re struggling to stay on track with healthy eating, consider meal planning or prepping each week, shopping at local markets for fresh produce, and meeting with a registered dietitian or taking a cooking class for inspiration on how to make the most of the foods you have available.”
We’re Here to Help
Our dedicated care teams are committed to improving your health and quality of life. Our clinics offer primary care, behavioral health services, dental services, and much more! We also have food pantries at most of our location that offer patients resources for the essential nutrition they need to fuel a healthy life.
Kristie Garner is a Licensed and Registered Dietician at the Jane Pauley Community Health Center. She has been in the field for 7 years and received her MS degree in nutrition from Ball State University.
