DASH for better health

DASH for better health

POP participants can learn how they can DASH for better health at the Pounds Off Pulaski (POP) meeting on Monday, February 26.  The program will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital Conference Center on the basement level of the East Tower.

Our theme for the evening, DASH for better health, will be addressed from three different perspectives, that of a nutritionist, chef, and organic food producer. Our guest speakers include: Registered Dietician Stacy Back, Chef Mete Sergin and owner of Sustainable Harvest Farm, Ford Waterstrats.

Stacy will discuss the DASH diet – named the #1 overall Best Diet by U.S. News and World Report -  and overall healthy lifestyle choices, based on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics on 17 Health Tips, Living a Total Body Diet Lifestyle.  Stacy is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a Master’s of Science Degree in Community Nutrition. After working as a Clinical Dietitian at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, she joined the staff at Bluegrass Oakwood, where she is Director of Nutrition Services and manager of Expressions Tea and Gifts. She is also a health coach and consults as needed.

Chef Mete will teach attendees how to add flavor to your food without adding sodium. He will also provide a delicious healthy dish for everyone to sample. He graduated from Sullivan University with degrees in both Culinary Arts and Hotel and Restaurant Management. He also earned an MBA from Murray State University. Chef Mete has extensive experience as a chef and manager in the restaurant, hotel, university and hospital settings as well as teaching chef/culinary classes for Sullivan and Somerset Community College. Chef Mete is Food Service Director at Bluegrass Oakwood.

Ford will discuss the importance of fruits and vegetables in diets and his Community Sourced Agriculture program. After an early career in teaching, utilizing his two master’s degrees in the field of education, Ford was able to whet his interest in organic farming with first-hand experience on one of Kentucky’s premier organic farms. In 2009, he and his wife moved to neighboring Laurel County and established the first USDA-certified organic farm in the region. They have expanded their operation to include grass-fed beef and pastured pork and continue to look for ways to innovate and expand their farm to provide high-quality, sustainable food.

Pounds Off Pulaski is a 12-week county-wide weight loss challenge sponsored by Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital and Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce.  Participants may weigh in beginning at 5:00 p.m. each Monday evening, with the program following at 6:00 p.m. The weekly meetings are designed to provide support, information, and helpful tools to help participants keep on track so they can reach their personal goals. 

For the latest information on the POP program and to view previous presentations and educational handouts, you may visit PoundsOffPulaski.blogspot.com.