By Lexie Hare
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
AUBURN UNIVERSITY – Popular New Year’s resolutions are to eat healthier, take control of your diet and manage your overall health through food. However, many people struggle with where to begin. Even though the new year has passed, it is never too late to take charge of your health with Right Bite, a healthy living program through the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
WHAT IS RIGHT BITE?
Carol Connell, an Alabama Extension human nutrition, diet and health specialist, said more than 14% of Alabama adults have been diagnosed with diabetes. More than 10% have also been diagnosed with hypertension.
“Both numbers are higher than the national averages,” Connell said. “An even greater number of Alabamians have prediabetes.”
Right Bite teaches adults, particularly those diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension, about meal planning and food preparation. The educational sessions focus on reducing calories, carbohydrates, fats and sodium, while encouraging healthier intakes, like fiber. The program consists of four sessions that cover the following:
• Healthy recipes
• Modifying fat intake
• Understanding nutrition labels
• Portion sizing
• Sweeteners
• Reducing sodium intake
• Managing carbohydrates
GIVING PEOPLE HOPE
The Right Bite program equips participants with the knowledge and tools needed to make changes to their diets and live a heathier life.
“(The program) gave us hope that we could make doable, small changes,” said Margo Herndon, a former program participant. “Change one or two things, eat in moderation, experiment, substitute, eat what we like, make better choices and do what works for us individually.”
Herndon said most of the participants in the sessions she attended were in their mid 70s, proving it is never too late to work toward a healthier you.
“My cholesterol came down some after eating lots of avocados and oatmeal and staying away from bakery sweets,” Herndon said.
A HEALTHIER ALABAMA
Connell said the program’s long-term goal is to help people achieve better blood glucose and blood pressure control.
“This will help to improve quality of life, reduce medical costs and improve productivity by lowering the number of sick days and absences due to complications from diabetes and/or hypertension,” Connell said.
While the program is designed for those with health conditions related to diet, anyone interested in taking control of their health is encouraged to join. To find Right Bite resources, visit www.aces.edu/go/RightBiteAL.
To find upcoming sessions, contact your local Extension office to speak with a human nutrition, diet and health agent.
