Healthy Living Newsletter
No Excuses - Cut the Fat!
It’s Game On with Mercy Hospital’s Reality
Wellness Series designed to reduce the risk of stroke and
heart disease
No excuses, it’s time to cut the fat and reduce your
risk of stroke and heart disease. That’s the message
Mercy Nutrition and Food Service’s Dietitian Megan
Dziedzic is telling area residents.
To help residents understand what they can do, Dziedzic
will present information on this important topic this week
at Mercy Hospital.
“This program will provide just the facts, simple
strategies, and what needs to be known when it comes to
fats,” explains Megan.
“There is simply no longer an excuse when it comes
to the confusion of fats and reading food labels,”
she continues. “Many people feel it’s too overwhelming
to understand fats, transfats and the details of food labels.
We’re here to help make it easy and understandable.”
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| Photo Caption: Mike Course of Port
Huron regularly attends area support groups and health
educational programs such as Reality Wellness through
Mercy Hospital. “I enjoy attending these types
of programs,” comments Mike. “They provide
a lot of information that’s easy to understand
and they provide the support I need to help me maintain
my good health.” |
Mike Course of Port Huron has been attending the Mercy
Reality Wellness series of health and nutrition programs
since it began last year. “I think it’s a great
program,” says Mike. “They cover things that
help with everyday living. They teach how to use your own
foods in the cupboard and offer examples that make sense.”
Mike knows a little about attending area support groups
and health education programs. Mike has endured multiple
health issues, including congestive heart failure, a heart
attack, rectal cancer and a diabetes diagnosis. He regularly
attends programs offered throughout the area and always
obtains useful information.
Now retired from a local automotive dealership, Mike says
it’s important to find time to attend these events
and learn to take control of your own health issues.
“A lot of people choose to go it alone in helping
maintain their health,” says Mike. “But, there
are wonderful resources available throughout the community.
I find it much easier to learn from these professionals
who have helped guide many of the health choices I’ve
made.”
As a result, Mike no longer takes medication to control
his diabetes and has lost 110 pounds. But, even with many
of his health issues under control, Mike doesn’t take
any chances when it comes to his health. “I’ll
continue to attend these events,” he says. “They
keep me up-to-date on things I can do to help keep myself
healthy and active.”
“In St. Clair County alone, 36 percent of adults
are overweight, 23 percent are termed obese, and 3 percent
are extremely obese,” continues Megan. “Obesity
contributes to the increased risk of a number of health
concerns including heart disease, hypertension, diabetes
and a host of other health problems.
“We find that many people with weight problems know
they need to do something, but simply are overwhelmed with
the question of what to do,” says Megan. “Attending
this program will offer the stepping stone they need to
begin to address their personal weight management and lifestyle
needs.”
No Excuses - Cut the Fat will offer information on:
- the different types of fat
- how much fat should be included in a daily diet
- how different fats effect lipid levels
- how NOT to make grocery shopping an all day event
- how to fit any food into a healthy lifestyle
“Through this program, we’ll give participants
an understanding that all types of foods can fit into a
healthful lifestyle,” explains Megan. “The key
is moderation and portion control.”
“Through these programs, you find it’s just
the little things you do that can go a long way to help
in reducing your consumption of fats and calories,”
says Mike. “For example, I’ve learned a few
things about transfats and reading food labels. The package
may say ‘reduced fat’, but you have to look
at the quantity included in a portion. In many cases if
you eat two of the item, you’re doubling your intake.
Food packages can be misleading, but the folks from Reality
Wellness help me straighten out the facts.”
“It’s so important for people facing weight
loss issues, a diabetes diagnosis or a challenge to reduce
cholesterol to understand that a healthful lifestyle doesn’t
just include diet and exercise,” concludes Megan.
“It includes the entire body, mind and spirit. Our
educators will address these issues in a very positive way.”
In addition to the April event, the Reality Wellness series
will continue Thursday, May 4 and will focus on Nutrition
and Cancer: offering ways to stay healthy through proper
nutrition and providing new ideas for healthful eating after
a cancer diagnosis or for those at high risk for cancer.
Join in... No Excuses - Cut the Fat will be held
Thursday, April 6, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., in the Mercy Hospital
Auditorium on the hospital’s lower level. The cost
of the event is $10. Seating is limited and registration
is required. To make your reservation today, please call
(810) 985-1683.
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