(BPT) - Have you ever thought about all the ways food brings people together? The theme of this year's National Nutrition Month^®, "Food Connects Us," created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, encourages individuals to explore the importance of making informed food choices while developing healthy eating and physical activity habits.

Sharing meals brings people together in ways that hold deep cultural and social meaning across communities worldwide, providing opportunities to learn about food preparation, the origins of ingredients, and the history behind the people who create the dishes. Health, memories, traditions, seasons and access all play a role in shaping people's relationships with food and sharing meals can enhance social connections and strengthen community bonds. While all these factors influence the foods you eat, that food in turn also affects your health.

Herbalife is fully embracing National Nutrition Month^®, with its nutritionists and scientists highlighting how food connects people to their cultures, families and communities - both their own and others. As a global health and wellness company present in over 90 countries and known for its science-based nutrition products, Herbalife has built a worldwide network of distributors, many of whom operate independent nutrition clubs, to encourage learning about healthier lifestyle habits.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and Nutrition and Dietetics Technicians, Registered (NDTRs) such as those at Herbalife, all play a critical role in helping people understand the connection between the foods individuals and communities eat, and how these foods impact everyone's health throughout their lives.

Here are tips from the experts at Herbalife for improving your health during this National Nutrition Month^® and beyond.

1. Make time to learn

Experts like the registered dietitians who make up the Dietetic Advisory Board and members of the Nutrition Advisory Board at Herbalife dedicate significant time in educating their distributors and their customers to help them achieve the nutrition they need for a healthier lifestyle. Learning how to read and understand nutrition labels is one crucial step, along with understanding the importance of eating nutrient-dense foods - ingredients containing many essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients you need, without a lot of empty calories that are devoid of nutritional value.

To help you get started, there are plenty of online resources on nutrition, such as Herbalife.com, where you can find tips for shopping and meal planning. Focusing on ways to prepare well-balanced meals, rather than opting for the quickest and easiest snacks, is key to fostering better health and well-being for you and your family.

2. Find community and connection

How you cook and eat together with family, friends and your community can impact your health and wellness goals. Activities like shopping, cooking together and having children spend time with you in the kitchen can help your whole family build healthier habits. Your children will learn from your example as you prioritize choosing quality ingredients and prepare them with care to make healthful meals.

You can also enhance that sense of connection by sharing meals with extended family, friends and other community members. Becoming an Herbalife distributor or joining one of their nutrition clubs are ways to engage with your community and continue to learn and grow.

3. Practice mindful eating

Pay attention to the origins of your food, as well as how you consume them. Learning where ingredients come from and how they are best prepared can enhance your appreciation for meals and encourage healthier habits.

Increase mindfulness by turning meals into special occasions where distractions (like phones) are set aside. Spend time enjoying the food and each other's company as you share the meal together. Slow down to appreciate each bite of food so you can not only savor the flavors and the social occasion but help decrease everyone's tendency to overeat.

4. Prioritize nutrition

Focus on creating well-balanced meals that include a variety of nutrients. Even when you do your best, statistics show that the American diet does not always provide the proper amount of some key nutrients that are needed for the body to function optimally. It's all too easy to lean on convenience over substance, which can have a negative impact on long-term health. Herbalife products can help supplement your diet with essential nutrients, ensuring you get the nutrition you need.

5. Stay active together

Combine more nutrition-focused eating with physical activity with family or friends to create a healthier lifestyle for everyone. Herbalife encourages incorporating exercise into your daily routine, through group activities at nutrition clubs, personal workouts and/or family outdoor activities. You can start with simple family walks or bike rides before or after dinner.

"Herbalife is more than just a provider of nutrition products - it's a trusted community that helps millions of people around the world achieve their health and wellness goals every day," said Susan Bowerman, M.S., R.D., CSSD, CSOWM, FAND and senior director, Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training at Herbalife. "We focus on creating lasting behavioral changes that enhance overall health and quality of life. Herbalife's commitment extends beyond products, with our networks of independent distributors offering coaching and motivation to help customers reach their goals."

Explore healthy living habits, nutrition tips and how to participate in a community focused on wellness at Herbalife.com.