|
Healthy Choices
Healthy Choices, a program focused on providing healthy food
choices and nutrition information to our clients is underway
at the Pantry under the direction of Katy Galton, a
registered dietitian. Healthy Choices focuses on helping
Interfaith Food Pantry clients understand the important
relationship between a nutritious diet and their overall
health and empowers them to be able to make informed choices
for their families. The Interfaith Food Pantry received a
grant from Merck NJ Neighbor of Choice Grants Program to
support the program in 2011.
Through the program efforts are made to increase the amount
of nutrient dense foods offered to Food Pantry clients ,
especially fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy
products and whole-grains.
Also nutrition education for our clients is provided in a
variety of ways. Clients receive information on the
relationship between diet and good health and practical tips
on how to incorporate healthy habits in their lifestyle.
Every month new recipes are provided that include the items
the Pantry distributes and healthful ways to prepare them.
We encourage our donors to make healthy food choices when
shopping for our clients As in the general population, our
clients face health issues such as
hypertension,
diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease and weight control.
Selecting canned vegetables with no salt added, low- sodium
or no-salt added tomatoes, low sodium soups, 100% fruit
juice, fruit that is packed in juice, whole grain pasta,
brown rice, and whole grain cereals such as shredded
wheat, wheat chex, cheerios, oatmeal ,and raisin bran
provide healthy options for our clients. |
