Harford County Health Statistics- Part 2

In Part 1, we wrote about the health statistics in Harford County, and the news was not good….

Only 26.7% of adults in Harford County are at a healthy weight. This is the lowest of all of the counties in Maryland.

Much of this health crisis could be improved if people would choose to eat more whole (or minimally processed) plant based foods, and less processed food products and animal foods (meat, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy milk and cheese).

As sad as the Harford County health statistics are, many positive steps are being taken by groups and individuals in Havre de Grace. Click here to read about the Havre de Grace Farmers Market, the Green Team and “Food for Life Classes”.

Obesity increases the risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Harford County’s diabetes statistics are worse than Maryland or the nation. It is not surprising that our Diabetes rates are so high, considering that only 26.7% of adults in Harford County are at a healthy weight.

What can we do?

Eating more whole (or minimally processed) plant based foods, and less processed food products and animal foods (meat, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy milk and cheese) can help improve these statistics. Reducing or eliminating processed fats and oils has been shown to improve blood sugar control as well.

Help is available!

First and foremost, we need to get back to cooking real food at home again. That being said, I know you will eat out on occasion. Several Havre de Grace Restaurants are encouraging plant food choices in their restaurants:

o Laurrapin Grill now offers Meatless Mondays

o The Vandiver Inn hosts a vegan Monday night supper club twice per year.

o Coakley’s Pub announced plans to include vegan selections on their regular menu

o The Vintage Café (soon to open) has mentioned plans to include healthy plant based options on their menu

Help me cook plant based foods at home!

Looking for individual help? In addition to teaching the PCRM classes mentioned in the previous article, Barbara Wagner also provides private consultations to individuals or groups who wish to transition to a whole foods plant based diet. This can be as simple as one meeting or as complex as weekly consultations. Barbara has been in practice as a Registered Dietitian since 1981 and is licensed and insured in the state of Maryland to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy. You can reach her via email eatplantsforhealth@gmail.com or phone 410-934-7328.

· Other class offerings to promote plant based eating

o Food Fermentation Basics (Next class July 21, 2015)

o Make your own plant based yogurt (Most recent class held June 2015)

Shopping for plant based foods

Fresh, frozen and canned vegetables and fruits can be found in any traditional grocery store. Canned and dried beans, as well as whole grain pastas and brown rice are readily available as well.

Some harder to find items can be found in a retail store in downtown Havre de Grace: Bahoukas GreenJoy (467 Franklin Street):

· GreenJoy offers plant based books/cookbooks including “Forks Over Knives” and many others

· GreenJoy has partnered with local farmer Tommy Shireman from Third Way Farm of Havre de Grace to offer locally grown produce daily in the store

· They sell hard to find items to support a whole foods plant based lifestyle:

o Soymilk made from only organic soybeans and water

o Vegan yogurt culture

o SoyCurls- a shelf stable meat alternative made from whole soybeans

o Soy Jerky

o Soup mixes made from whole foods

o Whole food snacks (Kale chips, Flax crackers, Onion rings made from dehydrated whole foods)

o Food fermentation supplies

Educate yourself!

Learn more about the why and how of healthy eating as well as the dangerous side effects of standard American diet (obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer). Take a step in that direction! Your health depends on it!