[StBernard] St Bernard Health Center offers tips for healthy eating on August 18

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Health Center’s Healthy Lifestyle Solutions Team will be
at the Community Center of St Bernard, 1107 LeBeau St, Arabi, on
Tuesday, August 18 from 10 AM until noon to help families learn how to
use their food dollars wisely. 

The team members will pass out flyers from the Farm Bureau entitled
“Tips for Better Nutrition on a Tight Budget”. The handouts will also
include three weeks worth of sample menus based on foods typically
available from Food Banks, such as the Community Center’s Mustard Seed
Food Pantry which serves low-income residents every Monday, Tuesday
and Thursday from 11 AM until 4 PM. 

“It’s a great opportunity to promote how learning to use grocery
dollars wisely ensures that nutrition isn’t neglected.” said Vicky
Morales, Healthy Lifestyle Solutions Team Dietitian. “The Community
Center of St Bernard and St. Bernard Health Center are devoted to
teaching residents how to stretch their grocery dollars with healthy
food. And they share a common concern with consumers when it comes to
putting nutritious meals on the table while sticking to a tight
budget.” 

With the continuing economic squeeze, many families may worry that
eating healthy has become too expensive. However, a March 2008 USDA
report shows that prices for fresh fruits and vegetables have remained
stable relative to dessert and snack foods, such as chips, ice cream,
and cola. In fact, according to a U.S. Agriculture Department study,
the cost of eating healthy hasn’t changed as much as the cost of
eating less-nutritious alternatives. 

So while enjoying healthy food on a tight budget does require smart
shopping, families who want good nutrition at a good price do have
many choices available to them, even in today’s tough economic times.
For more information about nutrition and healthy eating, please phone
the St Bernard Health Center at 504.281.2832 or 504.281.2825. For
questions about the Mustard Seed Food Pantry at the Community Center
of St Bernard, please phone the Community Center office at
504.281.2512.