Did you know fiber brings down cholesterol? That it’s best to avoid eating and drinking at the same time? Or that eating in a quiet, relaxing environment is essential to good gut health?
Fifteen seniors learned these valuable insights and more at a recent “Gut Health” class, the 1,000th Nutrition Education class provided by Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
In partnership with Florida Nutrition Ed, Second Harvest offers nutrition education classes to help SNAP-eligible Florida residents incorporate more nutritious foods into their diet, adopt an active lifestyle, prevent chronic disease, manage a healthy weight and improve their quality of life. A team of nutrition educators leads free nutrition education classes in Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia counties.
Abir, a nutrition educator with Second Harvest, worked with a Spanish translator to share helpful tips about good and bad fats, good sources of fiber, healthy digestion, avoiding inflammation and other information to improve gut health with the attendees.
“How many of you watch TV while eating or eat standing up?” Abir asked the class. Many hands were raised.
“The most important first step is eating in a quiet, relaxing environment because stress affects the gut,” she said.
She also explained that eating and drinking at the same time can cause bloating issues, and it’s optimal to drink at least half an hour before or after eating, if possible.
Poinciana resident Judy said she loves it when Abir comes to teach.
“She’s terrific and has lots of good ideas,” Judy said.
She said Abir’s advice has inspired her to make healthier choices, like cutting back on sugar to decrease inflammation in her joints.
“If I’m tempted to have a candy bar, I won’t eat it if it makes my arms feel better,” Judy said. “I might try a fruit instead.”
She said she and a lot of people her age don’t know much of the information shared in the classes or about available resources, like mobile food distributions.
“It’s very valuable,” Judy said. “Everyone finds it helpful.”
Abir said she was honored that No. 1,000 was her class.
“I am in awe of the number of classes we have reached, and so glad that Second Harvest is able to provide this opportunity for our community to learn and live a healthier lifestyle,” she said.
Abir has witnessed a positive impact on the community members who attend Nutrition Education classes, inspiring them to make healthier choices for themselves and their families.
“I run into individuals at the grocery stores, and they are so happy to show me the foods they are choosing now versus. in the past,” she said. “I love it when younger families stop me to tell me the kids have started making healthier choices and that they haven’t seen a huge difference in their food budget since they started eating healthier.”
Experienced nutrition education coordinators teach classes on a wide range of topics, from reading nutrition labels to eating the rainbow to reducing salt intake and how the diet can affect conditions, like blood pressure.
Class material comes from a curriculum approved by the USDA. Classes are available for various age groups, such as youth/teens, families with children, adults and seniors. A schedule of upcoming topics and locations can be found online at https://www.floridanutritioned.org.
“I love it, and I see change in my community (Osceola County),” said Abir.” I see healing coming from it.”
