People are being encouraged to consider their eating habits as the island marks Nutrition Month.

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, said that the Government’s Nutrition Services “continues to encourage Bermudians to focus on healthy eating habits that are sustainable for themselves and the environment”.

“March is Nutrition Month in Bermuda and the focus will be on educating our community about what steps they can take to live healthier lifestyles.”

During the month, residents are urged to consider the benefits of growing their own food, shopping, eating in season and becoming more plant focused.

Cymone Hollis, public health nutritionist for the Ministry of Health, said this year’s theme was “Nurturing our Future – Accessibility, Availability and Affordability Healthy Food For All”.

She added: “Scientific evidence indicates significant links to various chronic diseases due to poor lifestyle choices.

“In Bermuda we are seeing the impact this has on our country and we intend to provide the knowledge needed to assist everyone to make the healthy choice the easy choice.

“We will spend March highlighting sustainable nutrition and healthy eating behaviours. This topic is quite relevant in today’s atmosphere, given grocery prices are increasing and many are asking how they can afford to eat, nevertheless eat healthily.”

As part of Nutrition Month, Nutrition Services will host a panel discussion on March 8 to discuss sustainable nutrition and how accessible healthy food can impact everyone.

The discussion will be on the Department of Health Bermuda Facebook page and start at 5.30pm, with the public urged to submit questions to nutrition@gov.bm – or by calling 747-6468 – before March 7.

The Government will also host the Bermuda Parish Garden Competition, with members of the public urged to create a garden and submit photographs for judging and potentially win prizes.

The competition, a partnership between the Department of Health, the Department of Parks and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, is open to all gardening skill levels with categories for school garden, community garden, non-traditional garden, small garden and large garden.

The garden competition runs from March 21 to May 23, with participants able to register online from March 1 to March 20 at forms.gov.bm/gardencompetition.