NJ State Library Supports Start Eating Healthy Day

The New Jersey State Library supported the American Heart Association’s Third Annual Start Eating Healthy Day on Nov. 2 by providing apple cider and a choice of a variety of apples to employees as a mid-morning snack. Apples were also distributed at the Talking Book & Braille Center in mid-afternoon. The national day-long event was aimed at raising public awareness about the importance of making healthy food choices and to encourage everyone to incorporate healthier foods into their daily diet. Healthy Eating Day at the State Library was sponsored by the library’s Recreation Committee.

Sharon Rawlins (left), committee chair, and Edith Beckett (right), vice chair, give Michele Stricker a healthy morning snack.

According to the Heart Association, good nutrition can help reduce the risk factors for a variety of health conditions, including diabetes, cancer, and the number one killer of both men and women, heart disease. The American Heart Association has committed to improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent, while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent by the year 2020. Companies and individuals were encouraged to participate in Start Eating Healthy Day through a number of activities, from simply tossing out unhealthy snacks and swapping them for healthier ones, or starting some healthy eating or exercise programs at the work place.

For an afternoon snack at the Talking Book & Braille Center, Erin MacCord (right) selected an apple from Claudia Albertson's "healthy snack" cart. 

To learn more about Start Eating Healthy Day go to www.startwalkingnow.org/starteatinghealthyday or call the New Jersey office at 609-208-0020.