While working with the Johnson County Senior Citizen Center, the Johnson County SNAP-Ed Assistant talked about limiting the hidden fats, sugars and sodium from their diets. As the topics were discussed we learned that all members of the center were battling health issues that were the effects from one or more of the topics. An average of 19% of this group has diabetes, 56% has hypertension and 20% has high cholesterol. All the members of this group are also on a regular prescribed medication for lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and insulin for controlling diabetes.

During our lessons we talked about limiting calories from added sugars, saturated fats and sodium. We went over the types of fats and how to look for healthy unsaturated fats. We also learned how to identify sugars and sweeteners with different names and how to look for foods with natural occurring sugars that are found in foods we eat. We talked about reducing the sodium in their diets by using herbs and spices along with onions and garlic to enhance the foods they love and make them taste even better. They all enjoyed all the new recipes that were demonstrated during the meetings. The group stated that they were applying what they had learned with cooking their meals at home and were making old favorites into new healthy recipes that their families and friends can enjoy as well.