Shoppers, others looking for healthier foods

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

Growing national concern about childhood obesity and overweight adults is shining the spotlight on proper nutrition and healthy food choices. Other health problems related to diet – hypertension and diabetes – are drawing interest, too.
“I think first lady Michelle Obama’s campaign to shed light on childhood obesity has created a lot of interest in nutrition,” said Colleen Darling, a registered dietician at the Bland County Medical Clinic. “The economy being the way it is with everything so expensive is causing people to be more conscious about eating healthy. They’re turning to farmers markets and having gardens of their own.”
The medical profession, she noted, also is playing a big part in promoting healthy choices. High blood pressure, diabetes and some cancers have been shown to be directly related to foods, Darling said.
“More people are interested in keeping themselves healthy,” Lucille Long of Herbs & Health Inc. in Wytheville said. “Some of them have lost their jobs and their health insurance. So, they’re finding health things for themselves.”
She reported an increase in the number of customers. Natural vinegar, flax seed meal, locally produced honey, soy milk and vitamins are among their selections, according to Long.
“I’m totally into it myself,” she added. “I don’t take any medicines. My doctor thinks I’m crazy but I’ve stayed healthy.”
Roger King of King’s Country Produce in Wytheville is seeing more and more buyers of his health food items. He has added several items requested by customers.
“We’ve had a lot of people buying local honey for their allergies,” King pointed out. “But there’s a shortage since the bees are dying. We sell a lot of gluten-free products, too.”
Free vegetarian cooking classes at the Wytheville Seventh-day Adventist Church began two years on the second Tuesday of the month. Open to the public, they provide food samples, recipe handouts and information about nutrition.
“I help with the classes,” noted Evelyn Winnard of Bland, “and we’ve had good participation. It’s not just people from our church. I think people are interested in eating healthy and they’re finding the food is good.”
Darling also teaches classes on health eating as part of the Fit for Life program at the Wytheville Community Center. She focuses on a healthy lifestyles approach.
“It’s about making healthy choices and being conscious of what you eat, when you eat and the portions you eat,” Darling said. “It’s OK to have fast food every once in a while but not everyday. Go with the small fries and not the extra large size. I teach how to read food labels and what the dietary values are.”
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 228-6611 or wquesenberry@wythenews.com.