Nutrition for Community InterventionsWhat you need to know to make a difference

Presented by:

Melanie Hall M.S., R.D.

Betty Sun M.S., R.D.

What Makes a Champion for Change?

• Apathy

• Empathy

• Sympathy

• Compassion

Learning Objectives

• To be comfortable and confident in delivering fruit and vegetable nutrition education messages

• To know where to find credible and reliable sources of information

Activity: Assess Your Knowledge

• Why is it good to eat fruits and vegetables?

• How is it beneficial?

Macronutrients = CaloriesMicronutrients = No Calories

Food Basics

Fats

• Plant Fats– Calories

– Healthy oils

• Animal Fats– Calories

– Unhealthy solid fats

Proteins

• Plant Proteins– Calories

– Incomplete

– What else?

• Animal Proteins– Calories

– Complete

– What else?

Carbohydrates

• Complex Carbohydrates– Calories

– Fiber

– What else?

• Simple Carbohydrates– Calories

– What else?

Other Nutrients

• Vitamins – Found in fats, protein, and complex

carbohydrates• Minerals

– Found in protein and complex carbohydrates• Phytochemicals • Antioxidants• Water• Fiber

Fruits and Vegetables-Nutrition Benefits

• Low in calories– High in fiber and water (which have no calories)

• Low in fat– Most plant fats are healthy (exception: coconuts,

cocoa butter)

• Vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals

Name That Chronic Disease

• The body’s tissues are made of cells

• The body has a system to control cell growth

What happens when the body’s control system for cell growth breaks?

Cancer

Name That Chronic Disease

• All carbohydrates are broken down into glucose which the body uses for energy.

• The blood carries glucose to every cell in our bodies.• When there is not enough glucose for the blood to

carry to the cells, the liver makes more.• When there is to much glucose in the blood, the

pancreas helps take the glucose out of the blood

What happens when the body’s control system for blood glucose breaks down?

Type II Diabetes

Name That Chronic Disease

• The body has a system for getting fats and cholesterols to where they can be properly used in the body.

• The body has a way to clean away “bad” fats.

What happens when the body’s system for using fats breaks down?

High Cholesterol

Name That Chronic Disease

• The arteries and veins that carry blood throughout the body are strong enough to handle the pressure from each heart beat.

• The body has a system to keep the them elastic and healthy.

What happens when the body’s control system for carrying blood throughout the body breaks down?

High Blood Pressure, Stroke, Heart Attack

Fruits, Vegetables, and Chronic Disease

Role of Fruit and Vegetables and Weight Management

• Low in calorie (energy) density

• Fiber and water helps you feel full → satisfied to stop eating

– Substitute fruits and vegetables for higher energy density foods

Role of Fruits and Vegetables and Looking Better, Feeling Better, and Having More Energy

• You made the healthy choice

• Your body thanks you for the high quality fuel

This is where your personal stories bring nutrition education to life!

Fruits and Vegetables-Health Benefits

• Help manage weight

• Lower your risk of stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure

• Reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes

• Lower your risk of certain types of cancer

• Boost your energy level

• Look and feel great

Activity: How Much Do I Need?

age, gender, physical activity level

↓

calorie level

↓

cups of fruits and vegetables

Some Network Nutrition Messages

• Eating the right amount of fruits and vegetables as part of a lowfat, high fiber diet may lower your risk of serious health problems like obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer.

• Buy fresh fruits and vegetables in season. They cost less and are at their best flavor.

• All forms count! Fresh, frozen, canned, dried, juiced.• Supplements can’t replace fruits and vegetables.• The key to a healthy life is in your hands! • Keep it safe! You should always rinse your fruits and

vegetables before you eat them.

Corrections for Mis-messaging • Organic is great, but conventionally grown is healthy too.• We promote fruits and vegetables, not vegetarianism.

Vegetarianism isn’t for everyone.• Juicing is not necessary for good health.• We do not support any fad diets (raw, eat for your type, etc).• We no longer refer to servings of fruit and vegetables.• We no longer refer to the specific benefits of fruit and

vegetable color groups.• “Half your plate” is one of many tips on fruit and vegetable

portions, but it is not an official Network tagline.• Fruits and vegetables do not have cholesterol. Cholesterol

is only found in animal products and the healthy fats in in fruits and vegetables can help prevent heart disease.

Network Resources• Empowerment brochures

– Fruit and Vegetable– PA– Parent

• Produce Quick Tips• www.mypyramid.gov• www.cachampionsforchange.net• www.harvestofthemonth.com• Community Toolkit• School Idea & Resource Kit, parent tip sheets• California Fit Business Kit • Cookbooks, Recipe Cards• Food Stamp Office Resource Kit• Grassroots DVD, “A Day in the Life” DVD• Community events manual• Food Demonstration Kit, Store Tour Guide• Case studies, Issue Briefs

JUST READ ‘EM