So far the response this year has been good. Unfortunately , as we have seen in past years, the demand for healthy items, tends to drop as Spring approaches. In previous years, this has led to us eliminating some of these items, because it is not cost effective to continue to provide them. I am confident, as the Food Service

Director as well as the hospital Dietitian, that we can continue to offer more healthy tasty options.

But we here at Spoons need your support, as well as your ideas. In addition to Monday-Friday specials that are heart healthy, we always have available low-fat, heart healthy breakfast items, such as: Egg Beaters, LF Muffins, Oatmeal, & Fresh Fruit. For lunch and dinner, we have vegetable soup available as well as made to order sandwiches, which can be made low fat, with lean sandwich meats and whole wheat bread. Please don’t hesitate to ask for a sandwich ( or half sandwich) if nothing else appeals to you or you cant find a healthy option. The choice is there!! We can only provide the products, you need to make the choice, if that is your intent.

Another new addition to our menu is that we have Nutritional Analysis available for many of our entrees, and specials. Just ask and we can show you the details.

Also don’t forget to check out the weight loss classes that I offer quarterly, Also look forward to a low fat cooking class in the Spring. I am also available for individual consultations,. Just call me at ext. 237

As a community service, as well as a service to the hospital’s employees, I am now offering monthly brown bag luncheons. January’s successful lecture/ discussion featured the Mediterranean Diet, that is surprisingly tasty as well as extremely heart healthy.

To honor National Heart Health Month, I spoke about Heart Healthy Diets and healthy nutrition choices It was well attended, , I hope to receive feedback from the public and staff as to what topics they are interested in hearing about. Some future luncheons, might include Fad Diets and Nutrition & Cancer Prevention.

1. Eat fiber friendly foods

(fruits, vegetables & whole grains)

2. Add healthy fats to your diet

(nuts, seeds, fatty fish, olive oil)

(LF dairy, greens, tofu**)

4. Limit your intake of saturated fat

(Eat more beans, fish; Always eat lean sources of protein)

5. Limit your intake of sodium

3-4 gms/ day)

6. Exercise at least 10 minutes– 3x/ wk