A University of Illinois Extension Educator is reminding March is National Nutrition Month.

Caitlin Mellendorf, U of I Extension Nutrition Educator for Piatt, DeWitt, and Macon counties, says six key nutrients are essential to overall health and wellness. The first three are water, vitamins, and minerals.

Mellendorf indicates while we need small amounts of water, vitamins, and minerals, the last three key nutrients our bodies require large amounts of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Drinking eight glasses of water per day is not always accurate according to Mellendorf. She notes children may not be able to drink that much water, and people working outside during the summer heat may need to drink more than that.

Mellendorf says it is better to get vitamins from food rather than supplements. She says if you are taking a multivitamin supplement be sure to read the label and make sure it does not contain one hundred percent of any recommended daily values.

Mellendorf points out anyone seeking more information on nutrition or wanting to work with a registered dietician to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website, eatright.org/nnm.