Let’s Move! Nation Partners with Churches to Create Communities of Health and Wellness

With a preventable disease such as diabetes costing the United States $245 billion in 2012, prevention efforts are crucial for the physical, mental, and economic well-being of the population. Seeing the need for change, Let’s Move! Nation has been working with church communities in developing healthier lifestyles and environments for their church’s congregants. As this approach shows to be effective, Let’s Move! Nation aims to work with more churches throughout the country.

In discussions of preventable diseases, the most common approach has been an emphasis on diet and exercise. While diet and exercise are essential, environmental changes are important in making the healthy choice the easy choice.

Let’s Move! Nation has partnered with the Dream Center, which is a church and organization that houses over 600 individuals in rehabilitation programs, transitional housing for homeless families, and victims of human trafficking. For safety purposes, their rooms are only supplied with a mini refrigerator and microwave. One staff member and resident who was diagnosed with type II diabetes, Cynthia Galvez, commented, “Here, the hardest part is that I don’t have a kitchen and access to cooking so that I can make myself healthy meals.”

Let’s Move! Nation is working to attack health from every corner at the Dream Center. In the education aspect, healthy cooking and nutrition classes are being facilitated, with gardening and fitness classes to start in the near future. In the environmental aspect, professional chefs are being brought in to create healthy recipes for the Dream Center kitchen, which serves about 2,000 meals each day. For some, eating what is offered in the center’s kitchen is their only option, so healthy meals will create inevitable health benefits.

Additionally, a fitness challenge will begin in July, in which about 50 people are expected to participate. A few mornings each week, an hour-long class will be dedicated to an intensive group workout, health education, and cooking demonstrations. At the end of the challenge, those with the most participation will be rewarded with admission to a 5K obstacle race.

When approaching health from all angles, there is little room for excuses. Let’s Move! Nation has promoted health in many underserved communities and has seen people who refuse to allow their circumstances determine their health.

For many, it takes being diagnosed with a non-communicable disease to become conscious of how they are treating their bodies. As a nation, there are not enough resources to stay within this pattern. With risks of major complications of the heart, eyes, skin, and feet, as well as premature death associated with preventable diseases, it is in everyone’s best interest that communities focus on creating healthy environments on every level.

10 Tips to Eating Healthier on a Budget

1. Prepare meals ahead of time. One trick to keeping salads fresh for the week is to place a paper towel in between the salad and the lid of a container, then keeping the container flipped over. This allows the towel to absorb excess moisture and the produce remains fresh and crisp.
2. Purchase fruits and vegetables that are in season. Produce that is in season costs less and tastes better.
3. Buy frozen. Sometimes plans change and it’s a shame to watch fresh fruits and vegetables rot in the refrigerator. Frozen foods are great and always ready for soups, smoothies, and other dishes.
4. Ditch the sugar-sweetened beverages. Water will almost always be a cheaper option and it’s nothing but good for you. When craving a tasteful beverage, aim for unsweetened coffee or tea. Brewing it yourself also saves the wallet.
5. Avoid impulse shopping at the grocery store – don’t shop hungry. Have a shopping list and stick to it. Grocery store visits that lack committed intention tend to turn into shopping sprees of foods we don’t need.
6. Grow your own. At the very least, growing herbs is simple and inexpensive. At the store, you end up with much more than you need and for a higher cost.
7. Make sure to get protein. Protein is filling and aids in fat loss. A few examples of affordable protein include canned tuna, whole eggs, milk, cottage cheese, and ground turkey.
8. Cost over convenience. Prepared foods such as pre-cooked meats and pre-sliced fruits and vegetables typically cost at least twice as much as unprepared foods.
9. Choose nutrient-loaded foods. Foods packed with nutrients, such as leafy greens, keep you fuller and for a longer amount of time. When you eat foods that lack nutrients, your body gets hungry sooner because it’s still craving what it needs to take care of itself.
10. Eat before going out or take food with you. When leaving home on an empty stomach, making impulse food purchases becomes too easy. Eating at home and always having snacks on hand assures that you save money and know what it is that you’re eating.