In observance of American Heart Month, Atrium Health Navicent is offering a free, hearthealthy cooking class to the community at noon on Feb. 24. Participants will learn how to make a healthy main dish and side, and will have an opportunity to sample the dish too.
The free class will be held at Atrium Health Navicent Wellness Center, 3797 Northside Drive in Macon. Space is limited. Please RSVP by Feb. 17 by calling 478-633-7157.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The CDC estimates that 697,000 people in the U.S. die of heart disease each year – approximately 1 in every 5 deaths.
Studies show that people with healthy eating habits have a 31 percent less risk of heart disease.
“The best diet for preventing heart disease is one that has lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, poultry, and vegetable oils and doesn’t include many, if any, red or processed meats, refined carbohydrates, foods and beverages with added sugar, sodium, and foods with trans-fat,” said Dr. Erskine James, director of Atrium Health Navicent’s Advanced Heart Failure Center and Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit medical director.
During the cooking class, participants will learn to make brown sugar barbecue spiced salmon with fresh broccoli salad prepared by Josh Nowell, senior director of food and nutrition services for Atrium Navicent Health, with special assistance offered by Atrium Health Navicent President Delvecchio Finley.
American Heart Month is a great time to begin practicing heart-healthy living. Here are more tips you can implement at home:
• Eat healthy: Choose foods low in saturated fat, trans fat and sodium. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, fiber-rich whole grains, fish, nuts, legumes and seeds. Limit sugar-sweetened beverages and red meat.
• Be physically active: Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week, like brisk walking, or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic activity every week, like jogging. Atrium Health Navicent Wellness Center offers fitness classes and trainers to help you on your fitness journey.
• Learn the warning signs: Heart attack symptoms in women can be different than in men. Knowing when you’re having a heart attack or stroke means you’re more likely to get immediate help. Quick treatment can save your life.
• Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke: It’s never too late to quit smoking. Even exposure to secondhand smoke poses a serious health hazard.
• Have regular wellness exams: Establishing a relationship with a physician means you can regularly keep an eye on your heart health.
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