Discover the Power of Nutrition

See Lucas County Extension promote National Nutrition Month on WTOL's Good Day program.

Each year during March, we celebrate National Nutrition Month®, which is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It invites everyone to learn about making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

The theme for National Nutrition Month® 2026 is Discover the Power of Nutrition, which highlights the power nutrition has in helping individuals and communities thrive.

Our food and beverage choices have the power to help us thrive. To get the most benefit from the foods and beverages you choose throughout the week, consider the following tips:

  • Choose healthful foods from all the food groups.
  • Alternate your food choices for a variety of nutrients. Including a variety of foods within each food group can help you to get the nutrients you need. 
  • Avoid fad diets that promote unnecessary restrictions. They may advertise quick and easy solutions, but they often don’t promote healthy or sustainable habits. 

Resources can be a big obstacle when it comes to healthy eating. But there are things you can do to stay nourished on a limited budget. 

  • Make a grocery list and stick to it so you buy only what you need. Check store sales when you’re planning your meals.
  • Modify recipes to use less expensive ingredients – for example, replace some or all the meat in a soup or casserole with beans, or use frozen or canned vegetables in place of fresh ones.
  • Learn cooking skills that work with the tools you have. Know how to prepare a variety of dishes and make use of budget-friendly ingredients.
  • If you’re eligible, consider signing up for community resources, such as SNAP, WIC, and local food pantries. Visit our Food Assistance Resource Guide to learn more.

Contact your local EFNEP team to learn where free programs are delivered in your community. 

  1. Generation Rx. Safe Medication Practices for Life.

    Jan. 19, 2018

    The mission of Generation Rx is to educate people of all ages about safe medication practices. Prescription medications can help us live longer and healthier lives, but any medication has the potential to do harm – especially when misused.Generation Rx key messages are simple:

  2. Meet the Riehms! #FarmerFocus Friday

    Jan. 05, 2018

    Welcome to our first feature of #FarmerFocusFriday !

    Throughout 2018 we will be bringing you monthly features of local Northwest Ohio Growers and Producers. We hope this helps you get to know your local farmers, know how/where to take advantage of their fresh goods, and plug into supporting local efforts! Not sure what to make with some of the fresh fruits and veggies? Check out our other pages and programs for delicious recipes and more! 

  3. 2017 4-H Updates

    Oct. 20, 2017

    4H-ers continue to have fun and grow across all of Lucas County  Here are just a few of the highlights from 2017:

    2017 Cloverbud Camp

  4. Blender Bike 2017

    Oct. 20, 2017

    From 2014 through the 2016-2017 school year, Pickett Academy, a Toledo Public Schools as Community Hubs was one of two sites in Ohio to be part of the Ignite, Sparking Youth to Create Healthy Communities grant. This grant was geared toward sixth through eighth graders to create healthy choices for themselves, within their school and community. The main goal was to encourage adolescents to overcome barriers to eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and becoming more active.

  5. Informational Meeting for the Upcoming Master Urban Farmer Program

    May. 16, 2017

    An informational meeting will be held on July 13, 2017 at 6:00 pm at the Robert Anderson Urban Farm, 900 Oneida Street, Toledo, Ohio.  The Farm is part of the Toledo Botanical Garden (TBG). 

     

  6. Youth Garden Workshop - Northwest Ohio

    Jan. 19, 2017

    Join local agriculture and garden experts at an interactive event focusing on planning, developing and sustaining gardens for youth education. This will take place on Tuesday March 28, 2017 from 4:30 - 8:30pm at Sylvania Area Family Services.

    Topics include: Practical Garden Design, Plant Selection and Soil Health, Garden Safety and Sustainability, Connecting Garden Education with State Standards, Garden Demonstration and "Make and Take" Activities.

  7. Dining With Diabetes: Beyond the Kitchen, online learning

    Nov. 14, 2016

    Dining with Diabetes: Beyond the Kitchen is a FREE online course created by OSU Extension Family and Consumer Sciences. This online course goes "beyond the kitchen" to discuss making healthy choices when eating at restaurants, grocery shopping or planning weekly meals. For more information please visit our Dining with Diabetes: Beyond the Kitchen webpage at lucas.osu.edu/dwd

  8. Sharp Shooters Fall Meet And Greet

    Oct. 09, 2015

    Join the Lucas County Sharp Shooters 4-H Shooting Sports Club on October 31st for a “get acquainted” meeting.

    Get a chance to meet the instructors, pick up shooting sports books, and make new friends!

    We will be shooting rifle, pistol, shotgun, muzzleloader and archery.

    This event is open to any youth that is interested in participating in a shooting sports project next year. All of the instructors will be there to answer any questions you might have.

  9. Conversations on the Future of Extension

    Sep. 22, 2014

    Celebrating the significant accomplishments and deep impact that OSU Extension has had on communities and in the lives of Ohioans provides a great springboard for the future. A significant component of Ohio’s celebration in 2014 will be a year-long process focused on our future. The primary work this year will center on futuring – asking questions about and envisioning the long-term future of OSU Extension as well as the role the organization should play in shaping and positively impacting Ohio and Ohio residents.

  10. Smith-Lever Act Centennial Celebration

    Mar. 06, 2014

    The 100-year anniversary of the Smith-Lever Act, which officially created the national Cooperative Extension System, will be celebrated in 2014. Activities this year will highlight our past and focus on the current application of Cooperative Extension’s mission and vision as we move into our next century.

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