National Nutrition Month: Food and Culture

March 27, 2025 / Get Well

National Nutrition Month’s 2025 theme, Food Connects Us, highlights the important role food plays in our health, culture and relationships. In earlier installments, the Office of Employee Wellness and Wellbeing (OEWW) invited you to [re]connect with your food, to seek professional nutritional guidance and to explore the rich connection between cooking, relationships, food and culture. This week, we will take a deeper dive into food and culture.

Food is more than nourishment. It is a reflection of our heritage, identity and community. Exploring the traditions behind the foods we eat strengthens our connections with family, friends and the world around us.

Ways to Explore Food and Culture:

Try new recipes using different ingredients or cooking techniques.
Incorporate cultural favorites into your meals or explore global flavors.
Experiment with plant-based dishes—spices and sauces can transform simple ingredients into flavorful meals. The secret sauce (literally) to making delicious plant-based meals is often the use of flavorful and aromatic sauces and seasonings. Use nutrition month to experiment with spices and try a cuisine or recipe that enhances the flavor of vegetables, grains and plant-based proteins.
Don’t just enjoy these meals alone; share them with family or friends whenever possible.

For Inspiration:

Check out the Meatless Monday recipe gallery.
Visit NOVA’s Healthy Nutrition Padlet to take a recipe and/or leave a recipe that you and your family have enjoyed.

Although some ingredients are unique to specific cultures, many dishes share common elements. For example, beans and rice are staples in multiple cultures, but the types of beans, rice and seasonings used can vary. Understanding these differences and unique preparations enriches our culinary experiences and fosters a greater appreciation for diverse food traditions.

So, add a new cuisine or recipe. Even small changes—like trying a new dish or learning about another culture’s food traditions—can help you achieve personal wellness goals and develop a deeper appreciation for the role food plays in your life.

Happy National Nutrition Month!

—Dahlia Henry-Tett, Chief Wellness Officer (CWO)