YOU ARE HERE: Central Kentucky Home→Collections

Winchester Weigh Down making its mark

Jennifer's Journal

March 08, 2011|By Jennifer Howard

Jennifer Howard

Last week marked the half-way point for our Winchester Weigh-Down participants. How are we doing? The group consists of more than 100 people and together a reported 466 pounds have been lost! Way to go!

If you haven’t been a part of the program, pick one of the sponsoring locations and weigh-in. There’s always time to start a good health routine.

You can also join us as we begin our Walk With Us on Wednesdays. Starting today and also Wednesday, March 16, from noon until 1 p.m., join Cara O’Neill of the Clark County Health Department as we walk around College Park (in case of inclement weather, the walk will be on the inside track).

Other ways to help you reach your goal of good health, provided by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans are:

— Sodium: All Americans should strive to consume no more than 2,300 mg sodium per day. People 51 and older or those who are African American, have high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease should consume no more than 1500 mg of sodium per day.

— Sugary drinks: Drink water instead of sugary drinks. Sugary drinks make up a large portion of the excess calories in the average person’s diet. Cutting down on these drinks decreases your daily calorie intake, and can help control your weight.

— Saturated fat: Saturated fat should make up no more than 10 percent of your daily calories. That’s 22 grams per day on a 2,000-calorie diet. It’s high levels of saturated fat in the diet that contributes your risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

— Refined grains: Consume no more than 3 ounces per day of what we call “white” grains. Instead choose products made with whole grains. Refined grains lack fiber which is an important component to a healthy diet.

— Cholesterol: Consume no more than 300 mg per day. A diet high in cholesterol contributes to higher levels of cholesterol in the blood which again increases your risk for heart disease.

By making changes to these foods in your diet, you too can be a weigh-down winner.

For more information on healthy diet contact the Clark County Extension Office at 744-4682 or visit the website at http://ces.ca.uky/edu/clark

Jennifer Howard is the Clark County Extension Service agent for family and consumer sciences.

|

|

|