The Survey Results Are In: Healthy Savannah Reveals Importance of Healthy Food Access, Physical Activity Opportunities and Community Resources at Stakeholders’

Nearly half of respondents indicated they would walk or bike to work, school and shopping if there were bike paths and sidewalks.

(SAVANNAH, GA) Savannahians want more community-based solutions that promote healthy food and physical activity where they live, work and play. The findings of a year-long survey conducted by Healthy Savannah were revealed at its CDC Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Stakeholders’ Meeting on August 19. About 40 stakeholders were in attendance, representing Savannah and Chatham County organizations committed to elevating the health and wellness of the community. The event was held at the Vaden Automotive corporate office building at 12020 Abercorn in Savannah.

“It’s amazing to have our partners together and focus on an issue that’s so important to our community,” said Lillian Grant-Baptiste, chair of Healthy Savannah. “To look at health equity is an amazing need and amazing call to all of us

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Spectrum Health embraces plant-forward, tech solutions

As part of its effort to adhere to Food as Medicine principles, Spectrum Health is focusing on providing plant forward menus to guests and patients. Its new patient menu coming in 2023 will increase the number of items available for the most restricted patient population by focusing on using fresh ingredients minimally processed much as possible. To promote healthy healing, the program will eliminate the use of fryers, as well as highly processed meats and cheeses, from patient menus, which will be plant forward by design, allowing patients to add small amounts of proteins. This increases nutrient density of the menu being served to patients by following the Mediterranean diet. There will also be a focus on the quality of the proteins being served, requiring them to be certified non-GMO and all natural.

In addition, Spectrum Health has added 24-hour unmanned automated micro-marts throughout its system and hybrid automated checkout

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Daily Habits To Shift Towards Healthy Diet – Expert Recommends

Old habits die hard. At the same time, building new habits is also a difficult path. Increased consumption of processed food, rapid urbanization, and changing lifestyles have caused a shift in dietary patterns over the past few years. In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining a healthy diet is often easier said than done. For starters, trying to sieve through the array of healthy diets to figure out which one is appropriate for one’s system can be a challenge. Even after detecting an eating pattern, maintaining that healthy food schedule throughout the day has its fair share of difficulties. The good news is that sticking to healthy eating is possible and it does not even mean that one has to give up on their favorite foods.

Also Read: Healthy Diet: Expert Suggests Dos and Don’ts To Make Healthy Eating Easier

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Photo Credit: Pixabay

There are many ways to adopt and manage a

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A Healthy Food Movement Comes To Kenya’s Tea Capital

Jackline Cherono walks in from tending to her acre of tea in Ainamoi, a settlement in Kenya’s Kericho County where she works as a lead farmer. The lettering, “Toror Tea Factory” embroidered on her iridescent yellow jumpsuit pops out against the vibrant greens of dense Camellia sinensis leaves.

Jackline’s confident, wise and upbeat personality disguises the burden of grief that she has carried since the loss of her father to leukemia and her mother to high blood pressure just a few years ago. The death of both of her parents to non-communicable diseases was life-changing, giving Jackline no choice but to prematurely conclude her studies at Jomo Kenyatta University, where she had been studying public health. She had financial obligations at home.

“My siblings need me,” she says, wiping away tears.

Jackline is among many people in

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Black Business Month: Funky clothes, great juices

BROOKLYN, NY (PIX11) — Shoppers around the five boroughs have a wonderful opportunity to support Black business owners and their shops.

Emara Grainger sets up a lovely display of her designs from her shop, Rightful Rebel Clothing. The designs flourished across unique pieces of eyewear, clothing and jewelry. Her daughters modeled some of her goods Thursday morning when they all joined PIX11 Morning News.

Brooklyn Blend has been a staple Black-owned juice bar and health food restaurant in the Brooklyn community, known for providing healthy smoothies, shakes, nutritious food and fresh juices from their juice bar. They are passionate about inspiring and encouraging a wellness-focused lifestyle, especially within communities that are underserved and overlooked. Keishon Warren, Brooklyn Blend’s co-owner, joined New York Living to talk about the business.

The businesses are being highlighted as part of National Black Business Month.

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Eating processed food like ice cream hurts brain function, study says

Although it’s obvious that a diet of hot dogs and ice cream won’t lead to a healthy physical life, new research illuminates how ultra-processed foods can also cause a significant decrease in brain function.

Research presented Monday at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in San Diego outlined how foods such as instant noodles, sugary drinks and frozen meals all play a factor in a faster rate of cognitive decline.

“It’s no secret that physical and mental-cognitive health are intimately involved with each other, so it’s no surprise that this latest research suggests brain impairment, too,” said Rafael Perez-Escamilla, a professor of public health at Yale University.

“Just 100 calories of processed foods can affect your physical health. So, that’s two cookies.”

Research has linked ultra-processed food consumption to health problems like obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancers. “And now, we are starting to realize they affect the mind,” Perez-Escamilla said.

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Your health is more than just what food you eat

What is your definition of a healthy lifestyle? Eating your fruits and vegetables? Taking part in exercise? Eating lower-fat foods?

All those answers are correct, but they are just a piece of the puzzle to achieving the right balance for health. A healthy lifestyle is not a “one-size fits all” plan for every person. Guidelines should be followed and tailored to individual needs to prevent and manage chronic diseases and illnesses. The recipe for achieving optimal health, no matter your age, includes balancing what you eat, your physical activity, and your sleep patterns.

More From the Extensions:Making the most out of your food dollars

Fire it up:Healthy grilling options during the summer

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, it is recommended to follow a healthy eating pattern regardless of age. It’s essential to make choices based on your preferences, budget, and cultural traditions.

The focus should remain

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Photo Release: MDARD Director Gary McDowell Visits 168th Ingham County Fair & Local Food Truck Owners

LANSING, MI – Today, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Gary McDowell, joined by representatives from the Michigan Association for Local Public Health, the Ingham County Health Department, and the Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, toured the 168th Ingham County Fair, including the large animal livestock auction, and met with local food truck owners selling delicious food items during the fair. Throughout 2022, McDowell is traveling across the state, meeting with food and agricultural businesses as they advance during Michigan’s economic recovery and revitalization.

“From our Food and Dairy Division working with our partners at local health departments to help ensure safe food, to our veterinarians who help protect the health and safety of the animals at the fairs, MDARD works hard behind the scenes to ensure Michiganders have a great time at our summer fairs, said McDowell. “The Ingham County Fair, like other

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Three Hurst TX restaurants score poorly in health inspections

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A Tarrant County gas station had to close its beverage area for deep cleaning, and two other food establishments were significantly cited for violations in recent health inspections.

From July 24-30, 77 restaurants underwent health inspections throughout Tarrant County, excluding those in Fort Worth, Arlington, Euless and North Richland Hills, which conduct their own. No restaurant was closed for health violations, but one did score over 29 demerits, which will require a follow-up at a later date.

Incredible Burger, located at 1101 Melbourne Road in Hurst, scored a 33 and was cited for a broken freezer, food cross-contamination and lack of hairnets worn by employees. Inspectors also said the grill’s vent hood has not been cleaned since January 2021.

Incredible Burger will be required to undergo a follow-up inspection.

Also scoring poorly was El Patriota, located at 312 E Pipeline Road in Hurst, with a 29. El Patriota

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TO YOUR HEALTH: Affordable healthy food available locally | Lifestyles

Wellness does not just mean gym time. One very common issue people deal with is fiscal fitness.

I know many people who are struggling with money. Many folks are trying to afford healthy food or are trying to feed their kids on a limited budget. So, in times of financial stress, how do you eat well?

Some tips I have for eating well on a budget:

Vegetables

• Eat plant-strong meals – Serve spinach, broccoli, brussel sprouts or another leafy green with most meals.

• Grow your own – For the green-thumb-blessed, this is a great option. For those like me, if you factor in the cost of seeds, the time weeding the garden and the fact that I eventually kill most plants, this isn’t the best plan.

• Food co-ops – We are very lucky to have Bountiful Baskets available to us locally. I get a great basket of

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