National Nutrition Month 2025
This year’s National Nutrition Month® theme, “Food Connects Us,” National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It provides opportunities to highlight pasta’s role in connecting people to culture, friends and families.
Check out how pasta connects us with recipe inspiration, research and more.
Comfort and Community
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- Whether it’s a casual dinner with friends or a family gathering, pasta creates moments of joy and connection around the table. In fact, an Italian study found that eating pasta caused a positive emotional-cognitive state similar to watching your favorite sports team or music.
Affordability
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- A National Pasta Association analysis found Americans pay about $1.45 per pound for pasta making it one of the most affordable meal options on shelve. It is also a great way to use other foods that have a shorter shelf life, such as fresh veggies and lean meat.
Boosts Vegetable Intake
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- Pasta is a vehicle for adding more vegetables to the diet as well as introducing more variety in the diet, by experimenting with different shapes and vegetables. A study found that pasta-eaters had a higher daily consumption of vegetables compared to non-pasta eaters.
Recipes
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- Cranberry-Orange Orzo Salad
- Chicken Pasta Power Bowls with Avocado Dressing
- Vegan Spinach and Artichoke Pasta
- Vegetarian Stroganoff
- Smoked Salmon and Light “Cream” over Pappardelle
- Weeknight Italian Orzo Soup
- Vegan and Nut-free Sundried Tomato Basil Pesto
- Farmers’ Market Pasta with Basil Pesto and Pine Nuts
- Full Recipe Library
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National Nutrition Month Graphics
Additional Pasta Research
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- NPA Study Finds Pasta Eating Not Associated with Weight Gain
- Research Finds that People Who Eat Pasta Have Better Overall Diets
- Study Shows Mediterranean Diet Preserves Cognitive Function
- Eating Pasta Associated with Higher Consumption of Vegetables
- Study Shows Following the Mediterranean Diet Could Lead to Better Brain Health
