By Mary Jo Hallberg
How to eat within new federal dietary guidelines
Among the highlights of the new guidelines are:
• Less sodium-2,300 milligrams per day (raises blood pressure)
• More fish (3 times a week-and not deep fried!)
• Smaller portions (share meals at restaurants, use smaller plates)
• Surprise! -- more fruits and vegetables
Here are some tips for eating a healthy diet:
• Balance calories consumed with calories expended: We need to be eating just the right amount for our activity level. If you want to eat more, get moving.
• Ways to add more fruit and vegetables to your diet:
o Add fruit to your cereal. Don’t eat cereal? Start! Choose a whole grain cereal and add fruit.
o Add extra slices of tomato, lettuce and onion on your salad o Replace chips with a crispy apple.
o Put fruit and vegetables on the middle shelf of your refrigerator so you see them when you open the door
o Clean and cut up veggies right away and keep in plastic bag for an instant healthy snack
It’s not about dieting but a lifestyle change. It’s not that one piece of cake you ate but do you eat cake every day. Start by adding one or two healthy habits and stick to them.
Health Care Directives Available
As part of the series, Empowered to Advocate: Strategies for Making Health Care Decisions Before the Crisis, Pastor John Mann told personal stories of how families are helped by knowing what their loved ones wishes are at the end of life, and Pastor Paul Tidemann walked participants through how to complete a Health Care Directive.
Copies of the MN Health Care Directive and suggestions for completing it are available on the Parish Nurse pamphlet rack.
Or click here or look under Faith and Health on the Gloria Dei website for the online version. Any of our Pastors and Mary Jo Hallberg, Parish Nurse are available to answer any questions you might have. We strongly encourage you to begin the conversation!
Parenting Adolescents with Dr Raja David
Dr David, a licensed psychologist, met with parents for conversations on parenting adolescents. The dominant theme the first Sunday was navigating parent-child interactions and helping children with managing emotions. The second Sunday, Dr David introduced the topic of “the mean culture” which led to a lively discussion.
A group participant, Deanna Thompson, said “It was helpful to come together as parents of teens (or soon-to-be-teens) and be able to talk about how we parent our kids through this challenging time of life”. If you would like to see other opportunities like this offered, please contact Mary Jo Hallberg or Dr David.
Another Successful Blood Drive
Gloria Dei met its goal for donations at the American Red Cross Blood Drive on Valentine’s Day. We had a number of mother/daughter, mother/son, and couples “teams” who donated together as a Valentine Gift of Life. A special thanks to Jane, John, Linda, Pam, Lorna, Missy, Sue, and Karen for their volunteer efforts!