Nutrition Class Prompts Ossining Parents to Make Healthy Changes

Before Celsa Trejo took Maria Vele’s nutrition class at Park School, she never read nutrition labels when she shopped. She only looked at the price before buying something.

Paying attention to the labels for details about fat, calories, sodium, sugar and other details about nutrient content is one of the major changes she made in her life thanks to the six-week course.

“It helps me a lot,” said Ms. Trejo, who cooks for her family.

During the final session on Nov. 21, Ms. Vele, a bilingual nutrition educator for Eat Smart New York Westchester, reviewed the major components of what she taught. The goals include using less sugar, fat and salt in cooking; limiting saturated fats; eating five fruits and vegetables a day; and drinking more water. She discussed the importance of always offering children vegetables and fruits, and putting the same food on everyone’s plate.

When buying fruits at the supermarket, such as apples, smaller is better, said Ms. Vele, who works for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County. Since there may be occasions when they do not have time to go shopping, they should always have frozen vegetables on hand, she said.

Ms. Vele and Marcela Levin, parent coordinator at Park School, handed out certificates to students who had completed the course. Afterward, everyone feasted on a healthy homemade meal of cucumber, arugula and quinoa salad; tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and basil; guacamole; chicken; rice; and potatoes with a sauce. Ms. Vele prepared the salad and guacamole, and Ms. Levin sliced the tomato and mozzarella just before the lunch.

Alba Gregorio said she previously met Ms. Vele through Neighbors Link and had started applying some of the changes that the nutritionist recommended. As a result, she had lost a significant amount of weight.

Lorena Guzman, one of roughly 10 graduates, said she got a lot out of the course. “This class has been really helpful and it’s been amazing because it teaches you clear strategies on how to create delicious dishes but at the same time that they’re healthy,” she said. “Because sometimes, we like junk food – it tastes so good and is easy to eat, but it’s not good for our health.”

Ms. Vele made everything “so simple and easy,” Ms. Guzman said. “She does the preparation right in front of us, so we see step by step how everything is done.”