As a new year begins, many people set goals to improve their health, such as losing weight or exercising more. Along with my own health goals, I am committed to improving the well-being of my community by offering education and support through a monthly plant-based community potluck. This effort is part of Building Healthy Communities, a grassroots global movement that supports individuals interested in learning about or practicing a healthy plant-based lifestyle.
As a registered nurse, I have seen firsthand the growing burden of chronic disease. In both my workplace and community, people are becoming sicker at younger ages, often managing multiple chronic conditions. On a cardiac floor, I care for younger patients experiencing heart disease and strokes—an alarming trend that reflects a broader public health crisis.
Our current medical system largely focuses on medications and procedures. Lifestyle Medicine offers a different, evidence-based approach that addresses the root causes of disease through six pillars: a whole-food, plant-predominant diet; regular physical activity; restorative sleep; stress management; social connectedness; and avoidance of risky substances. These behaviors have been shown to prevent, treat and in some cases reverse chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, stroke and dementia. Rather than trying to mop up an overflowing sink of chronic diseases, lifestyle medicine helps people reach up and “turn off the faucet.”
While all the pillars are important, nutrition often has the greatest impact on health. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds is nutrient-dense, fiber-rich, anti-inflammatory and supported by leading health organizations as optimal for health and longevity. Equally important is connectedness. Strong social ties improve happiness, reduce disease risk and support lasting behavior change.
Making lifestyle changes can be challenging, but support makes it easier. Our monthly potluck, PlantPoweredNorthernCT, welcomes everyone—no prior experience with plant-based eating required. Join us to connect, learn and discover how enjoyable healthy living can be. Our next potluck dinner is Thursday, Feb. 26, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Cook Hall, Granby Congregational Church-North Campus, 219 N. Granby Road. For more information, please contact Kathleen Olchowski at Plantpowerednorthernct@gmail.com