From press release

Continuing research confirms that the food we eat has a major impact on our health, on how we function and on how we develop or avoid certain health problems.

Whether you are concerned about your blood pressure, cholesterol, your children’s diets, your budget, athletic performance or the nutrition needs of seniors, the registered dietitians at OSF Saint Anthony Medical offer one-session classes that can help.

Eating to Lower Your Blood Pressure

will be offered from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 20. This class explores the basics of a low-saturated fat, high-fiber eating plan. It is intended for those who are just beginning to change their eating habits, for those who need to review a low-cholesterol eating plan, or for those who need a push to get back on track.

During both of these classes, a dietitian will evaluate the participants’ current eating patterns and make recommendations for changes that will help them meet their goals of blood pressure or cholesterol reduction. Participants will learn what their blood pressure and cholesterol readings mean, learn to calculate maximum grams of fat and saturated fat, learn what and how much to eat and receive an introduction into reading labels.

Participants receive written materials explaining the eating plan as well as some recipes to try at home.

Intended for parents and their children ages 3 to 11, the fun and interactive
Healthy Eating for Healthy Kids

class explores proper portion sizes, the value of exercise and packing a lunch. The class will be offered from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27.

All nutrition classes are held at the OSF Saint Anthony Center for Health, 5510 E. State St., Room 154.. The fee is $20 for each class.

Registration by calling (815) 395-5025 is required. Space is limited to allow for discussion and questions and to ensure that sufficient materials are available.

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, a Level I Trauma Center, is owned and operated by OSF HealthCare System, an affiliate corporation of The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, Peoria. Its Web site is www.osfsaintanthony.org.

From the October 14-20, 2009 issue