March is National Nutrition Month, an annual reminder that food is more than just delicious—it also affects how your body functions. National Nutrition Month presents you with an opportunity to learn more about and improve your overall diet.

With nutrition news and information everywhere these days, from product packaging to restaurant menus to books, magazines and news shows, it is more important than ever to know the basics, but with so much out there, it can be overwhelming to figure out just what you really need every day.

A registered dietitian can help remove some of the guesswork. Just as your doctor or dentist specializes in specific areas of health, dietitians spend years learning and training to help their clients or patients stay healthy through a balanced diet.

A registered dietitian can recommend specific foods and serving amounts based on your needs and situation. Now is as good a time as any to be proactive about your diet and overall health. As part of your healthy lifestyle efforts, the American Dietetic Association suggests you meet with a dietitian regularly to get the most from what you eat. To find a dietitian near you, you can visit the American Dietetic Association web site.

Web site helps you find healthy menu choices at your favorite restaurants

If you’re interested in finding delicious and nutritious, dietitian-approved Healthy Dining menu choices available at some of the restaurants in your area, you may want to visit HealthyDiningFinder.com.

Want to weigh in on the subject of nutrition? The HealthyDining blog offers you a platform, or you go to its Facebook page to leave a comment.

Or, if you know a dietitian personally, this would be a good month to take that person out for a sensible lunch.