Eat for good health

WOODBRIDGE - The Woodbridge Town Library is teaming up with The Cancer Project to present a series of nutrition and cooking classes for cancer prevention and survival.
Each class includes information about how certain foods and nutrients work to promote or discourage cancer growth, along with cooking demonstrations of simple and healthy recipes that can be recreated easily at home.
Food for Life Nutrition & Cooking Classes are designed by physicians, nutrition experts, and registered dieticians at The Cancer Project, a non-profit organization based in Washington D.C.

The schedule of classes is:

April 8th, 6:30pm – Planning Healthy Meals
This class will explain and demonstrate how to best plan and prepare well-balanced meals from the "New Four Food Groups" which include healthy whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruit.

April 22nd, 6:30pm – Antioxidants & Phytochemicals
This class will explore foods that are rich in protective compounds such as beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamin C, and zinc. It is important to be generous with a variety of vegetables and fruits as you plan your menu. Based on scientific research, vegetarians have approximately double the natural killer cell activity (natural killer cells engulf and destroy cancer cells) compared to nonvegetarians. Look forward to enjoying a colorful and scrumptious immune-boosting, cancer-fighting meal.

May 6th @ 6:30pm – Immune-Boosting Foods
This class will explore foods that are rich in immune-boosting nutrients such as beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamin C, and zinc. Studies have demonstrated the ability of diets rich in vegetables and fruits to boost immunity and to reduce the likelihood that cancer will develop in the first place. Based on scientific research, vegetarians have approximately double the natural killer cell activity (natural killer cells engulf and destroy cancer cells) compared to nonvegetarians.

May 20th, 6:30pm – Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Healthy weight control is essential for warding off a variety of chronic diseases, and studies have shown that slimmer people are even less likely to develop cancer. In addition, trimming excess weight may also improve survival after cancer has been diagnosed. This class will discuss and demonstrate filling fiber- and nutrient-rich dishes that will help you maintain a healthy weight.

All classes are free and open to the public. Space is limited, and registration is required. To register, or for more information, call 389-3433 or email pvalsecchi@ci.woodbridge.ct.us.