This summer, the Fayette County Cooperative Extension Nutrition Education Program partnered with Briarwood Apartments, a federally subsidized apartment community for individuals with disabilities and seniors, to deliver the Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum to improve the diet and food security of their residents. Before beginning the program, 75% of participants got more than 21% of their daily calories from solid fats and added sugars, both of which increase one’s risk of developing chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease and diabetes when consumed in excess. Looking at their food recall data eight weeks later, only 25% of the group reported getting more than 21% of their daily calories from solid fats and added sugars.

One participant said that she loved learning how easy it is to make a healthier alternative to one of her favorite snacks- Ranch dressing, a condiment high in sugar and fat. During the Know the Limits lesson where the goal is to identify ways to reduce the quantity of unhealthy fats, sugars and salt in the diet, the class prepared the Creamy Italian Dressing recipe paired with fresh, in-season vegetables. The recipe uses low-fat yogurt, rich in protein and calcium and free of added sugars. All of the participants at Briarwood also verbalized feeling more comfortable comparing products at the store upon learning what to look for on the Nutrition Fact label, and thus were able to choose products lower in saturated and trans-fats as well as added sugars!