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Mar 2, 2008 6:38 pm US/Central
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Clinic Offers Class To Teach Healthy Cooking
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
Heart disease remains the number one killer in America, but death rates have been on a steady decline.
Part of the reason may be that hospitals are focusing more attention on prevention, because healthier lifestyles make for good medicine.
Registered dietician Sue Hanson really knows her foods and what's inside them -- "ipentisocnoic acid and decosohexanoic acid," as she says.
One of Hanson's gifts is her ability to speak plainly about eating healthy for your heart. She extols the virtues of "basic whole foods, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean meats."
At the Park Nicollet Heart and Vascular Center, healthy eating extends to teaching healthy cooking, that actually tastes good. You'll have to take my word for it that their baked artichoke dip is incredible.
"Two tablespoons would be a serving, which is just going to have a gram of fat," explained Hanson.
She works in a high-tech kitchen and classroom which was built right into the center's design, just as the huge rehabilitation center is also a fully integrated part of the medical complex.
"Cardiac rehab is really no longer an option. We really stress it as an integral part of care," said Park Nicollet cardiologist Dr. Jackson Thatcher.
With two-thirds of Americans overweight, some would argue we have not as a nation been eager to embrace healthier lifestyles. However, Hanson's captive audience is eager to hear the message about healthier diets and more exercise.
"We do really have their attention right after they've had their heart attack treated. And they're very open to discussing many of these issues," said Thatcher.
Motivation among survivors is naturally high to quit smoking, control blood pressure and lose weight, but making it easy with one stop shopping can only help.
"More patients are successful and we really do see people change," Thatcher.
The heart-healthy cooking classes are open to anyone, both patients and public.
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