How To Eat Healthier In The New Year

"Here at the Washtenaw County Health Department," we have programs to help support people."

"Within a lot of that data, we can often see disparities by income, education, or where you live even geographically. Because that is one of the other things that we’ve learned about healthy food access, is that it can vary physically depending on where you live. How close is that, near a store, and is that a convenient store or is actually a full service grocery store that provides you all the option items that you need to eat more healthy. Do you have transportation to get there or is there accessible public transportation? So sometimes we can see that basic information on who is eating healthier, but we can also see those differences across the county."

"Which provides health intake screenings, goal setting, and planning, and it helps work with individuals to set small goals that they’re able to obtain. We look at settings small goals and not big ones because those tend to be more attainable and more successful."

"Always have a list. Know what you’re coming in for."

"In general, the rule of thumb is to always shop the perimeter of the store, because that’s where all of the fresh products are. So we’re standing here in the fruit and vegetable aisle and, as they say, no one ever got fat eating all fruits and vegetables. When we get in trouble is when we start advancing into the middle aisles where there is process food and things that you clearly want to avoid if you’re embarking in a diet or health journey."

Mary: "I would take that apple, cut it up, and then go down this aisle right here to the ground nut butters, and nothing tastes better than freshly ground peanuts or almonds. And I would pair that with a serving of almond butter, and that is a snack that will keep you satisfied and good for you."

Jorge: "So you’re not just eating, I don’t want to say the plain apple, but the apple on its own, you’re kind of mixing it up to give it a little bit more flavor…"

Mary: "Yeah, and you’re cutting it up. A lot of people don’t even like biting into a whole piece of fruit, but once you cut it up and expose the inner part of it, it looks more appetizing."

"It’s very important to make the changes for the whole family. It’s usually difficult if it’s just one of you, who wants to improve how you’re eating, compared to everybody. And it’s a good way to pass on healthier habits that you are doing. So starting from the age of two or three, children can help with washing things in the kitchen. Once they’re four, they can help with some chopping, stirring, and tossing a salad together, things like that."