Darron DeWitt speaks to the "Diamond Set" group at First Baptist Church, on
Tuesday, about making healthy choices in your diet.

 

A "Homecoming" For Speakers at
Tuesday's Senior Citizens Luncheon
at First Baptist

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

It was a "homecoming" for two of the four speakers at Tuesday's Senior Citizens Luncheon at First Baptist Church, as they encouraged the senior to adopt healthy choices in their diets and to exercise regulary for better living. The "Diamond Set" at First Baptist Church hosted the luncheon and then heard Nutritionists Darron DeWitt, along with team members Sarah Cooper and Mary Flesher, tell them about combinations of foods and ways to cut down on the fat content in their diet. DeWitt and fellow classmate, Ashley Westbrook, both grew-up at First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs.

"Your should read food labels, first and foremost," expressed DeWitt. "And know what you are eating!"

 

First Baptist Church Diamond Set members listen intently to the program on healthy food choices
offered at First Baptist Church, during a church hosted luncheon.

 

Healthy eating choices would include avocadoes, nut butters, olive oil, almonds, walnuts, cold water fish (salmon, cod, and herring), flax seed and flax, and bake your foods instead of frying them.

Substituting pork bacon for low-fat and turkey bacon is another way to reduce calories and fat, as well as drinking fat-free or 1 & 2% milk. Other suggestions included limiting saturated fats, using lemon juice on salads in place of high-caloric dressings, and replacing refined flours with wheat flour that is high in fiber.

 

 

 

Senior were encouraged to replace some of the higher fat content in cooked foods, with lower calorie substitues that make very little difference, such as using applesauce in place of butter and oils, in cookies and cakes. Using egg whites or egg-beaters instead of regular eggs and the use of low-sodium broths instead of creamy soups in recipes, was also suggested. Use lean ground beef and turkey and low fat cheeses and yogurt, when cooking, and add fiber in your recipes to aid in lowering colesteral, while drinking lots of water, every day.

DeWitt and his team treated the seniors with some good ol' chocolate chip cookies that had replaced some of the ingredients with lower-fat ingredients, pleasing everyone in the crowd.

 

Dewitt offers Senior, James Alford, some of the chocolate chip cookies prepared, using
lower-fat substitues.

Meanwhile, the senior group at First Baptist was introduced to another Sulphur Springs native, Ashley Westbrook, who is now a member of the staff at Angels Care Home Health, in Greenville. Westbrook introduced the group to their Diabetes Disease Management Program and told about the many home health services that her group offers to seniors in their homes.

Sulphur Springs native, Ashley Westbrook, introduced the services of Angels Care Home Health,
to the seniors group at First Baptist Church, on Tuesday at noon.

Following lunch and the presentations by the speakers, seniors at First Baptist Church honored those in the group who were celebrating birthdays and then took up a collection for the food bank at the church, to help those who come the church seeking assistance in providing food for their families.

 

 

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