Chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes continue to impact thousands of Hoosiers, but health experts say small changes in the kitchen can lead to big improvements.
Nutrition plays a key role in prevention, and there’s encouraging news: more families are cooking meals at home and paying closer attention to what’s on their plate. Cutting back on sodium, incorporating whole grains, and choosing quality proteins are all steps in the right direction.
Extension Educator, Abigail Creigh says, “Chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes really affect many Hoosiers. But of course, nutrition can make a big difference. Encouraging that we’re cooking more meals at home, that we’re reducing that sodium in our diet. Balancing our plate with those whole grains and quality protein and of course, plenty of fruits and vegetables. So we like to encourage just those simple habits. Using local ingredients can even make healthy eating a little bit more accessible and really enjoyable too.”
Creigh says here in Indiana, eating healthy can be both affordable and enjoyable by turning to local, seasonal foods.
“One simple step, especially here in Indiana, is definitely to take advantage of what is in season. So whether that’s apples in the fall, sweet corn in the summer, and even frozen Indiana grown vegetables that you get to enjoy during the winter months. Just adding those extra fruits and vegetables to your plate is a really good place to start.”
The message is simple…start small. Adding just a few more fruits and vegetables to your daily meals can make a meaningful difference in long-term health.
Find the entire conversation with Abigail Creigh on the Your Health podcast here:
