March is National Nutrition Month and Mid-State Health Center’s Registered Dietitian, Denise Normandin, founder of Enlighten Nutrition & Wellness, is ready to serve the nutrition and wellbeing needs of our community. Choosing a healthy lifestyle is key to promoting, maintaining and/or regaining health. Therefore, it is important to consider if your lifestyle choices are programming your cells for health vs. disease.

Everyone, no matter their health status, can benefit from eating well and being active to optimize wellbeing. Many factors influence dietary habits and practices, from economic affordability, geological challenges, and governmental policies. On top of these factors, industrially processed food products can negatively affect our general state of health, emergence of diseases and overall lifespan.

One must consider the importance of whole food as the basis of nutritional intake. A whole food is a food that has been processed or refined as little as possible and is free from additives or other artificial substances. Consuming whole foods daily along with drinking water can help fuel your body for health and promote longevity.

Here are a few tips to get you started towards a healthier lifestyle and heathy ageing:

1. Spring is a great time to clean your pantry and refrigerators of unhealthy food and restock with healthier choices to support better eating patterns. It is also an exciting time to try new recipes and designate a specific time during the week for meal prepping.
2. Limit foods and beverages higher in “added” sugars, saturated fat, and sodium, and limit use or avoid risky substances, alcohol and tobacco.
3. Get restful sleep and work on managing stress.
4. Make a date with a friend to do physical activities that you enjoy. Walking is a fantastic way to get started.
5. Just START. Take one step and create small goals that you can build on.

The core elements that make up a healthy eating pattern include:
Fresh Vegetables, Whole Fruits, Whole Grains, Low-fat Dairy, Lean proteins (from plants and animals) and Healthy Fats and Oils.

NOW IS THE TIME TO LIVE WELL, SO YOU CAN LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!

Denise is accepting new patients and is a preferred provider of Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), and lifestyle medicine and is available to meet one-on-one to create a healthy lifestyle plan that works for YOU. Denise has over twenty-five years’ experience in health promotion, is a licensed, Registered Dietitian and is a board-certified Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner. She also has advanced certificates in training in weight management. “My passion is to inspire sustainable, healthy living practices to improve wellbeing and promote longevity,” said Denise. Private insurance and Medicare accepted. Appointments can be made by calling Mid-State Health Center at 603-536-4000, or learn more by visiting midstatehealth.org.