By Rodney D. Bailey, MSW, PhD, Senior Vice President

March is National Nutrition Month and it reminds us that eating nutritious foods offers big benefits. Research shows eating well can boost your energy, improve your mood, keep your bones strong, enhance your sleep, and extend your life. Healthier eating can even reduce your risk for dementia, some cancers, and type 2 diabetes.

Considering all of the physical and mental benefits of eating nutritiously, why not give it a try? Mayo Clinic offers these simple tips for eating better.

  • Choose a variety of nutrient-dense foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats, nuts and seeds, and low-fat dairy products.
  • Limit the number of calories you get from added sugars and saturated fats, while also cutting back on sodium.

Eating healthy isn’t complicated. There’s no magic diet plan. By applying those simple guidelines at every meal, over time, you’ll significantly increase the nutrients you’re intaking, while dramatically decreasing the amount of sugar, salt, calories, and saturated fat. Smart choices like these will allow for a healthier, stronger mind and body–one day at a time.

So many smart, delicious choices on campus

At Beatitudes Campus, we make it easy to eat for your well-being. We offer heart-healthy, vegetarian, and allergen friendly options at all of our restaurants. We regionally source ingredients whenever possible for the freshest flavors. Most importantly, our chefs tailor your order to your liking.

Tailored menu

  • Fit menu filled with healthy choices
  • Diabetic friendly selections
  • Vegetarian dishes
  • Gluten-free alternatives
  • Allergen friendly options (milk, peanuts, wheat, and other allergens)
  • Dietary preferences (salt, spices, garlic, shellfish, and others)
  • Sugar-free desserts

Healthier choices

  • Made-from-scratch soups
  • Sustainably sourced seafood per Monterey Bay Aquarium standards
  • Gluten-free bread, pasta, mayonnaise, dressings, and more
  • No growth hormones in milk and meats
  • Pasteurized in-the-shell eggs
  • Cooked with zero trans fat
  • No salt added

Whether you’re grabbing a quick breakfast, lunch, or sitting down to dinner with friends, you’ll find something delicious and nutritious.

At Town Plaza Bistro, we offer fresh, made-to-order meals, including grilled chicken, fish, fresh fruits, salads, vegetables, and more. On the menu, it’s easy to see which items are vegetarian, gluten-free, and have low sodium and no sugar.

Elaine’s, our fine dining restaurant, offers sophisticated cuisine in an upscale atmosphere. You can choose from a variety of healthy options such as seared scallops and halibut, shrimp, rack of lamb, and zucchini noodles.

Even at Buckwald’s Arizona Grille, our steakhouse-inspired restaurant, you can choose fresh seafood, grilled lean meats, and vegetable-forward dishes. You can also build-your-own salad and top it with one of our house-made dressings.

“We have really talented chefs here at Beatitudes Campus. If you need a dish specially prepared, just let them know. We want to make it easy for you to enjoy great meals that are also healthy for you,” said Joe Kane, Director of Dining Services.

The facts about nutrition and older adults

Whether you’re dining at one of Beatitudes Campus’ restaurants or in your own kitchen, consider choosing your meals and snacks for their nutritional value–at least a majority of them. Poor nutrition particularly affects older adults. As we age, we need adequate amounts of protein to maintain our muscles, calcium to keep our bones strong, and vitamins and minerals to keep our mind and body working properly. The real magic is that you have control over what you eat.

With National Nutrition Month, now is a great time to add nutrient-dense foods into your everyday eating. When possible, make every bite count. It’s quick, easy, and hugely beneficial. If you enjoy statistics, here’s more about the latest research in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.