iSpeak on Nutrition

I agree that there are obstacles that stop us from eating healthier food. The biggest problem is lack of knowledge. 
Many people lack the understanding of the lasting effects that unhealthy habits have on our bodies.  Another issue is our jobs.Many of us constantly eat on the go, ordering out or eating vending machine food. One good start is to do as the schools are doing by eliminating the "junk food" vending machines and replacing them with a healthier selection. Many of us don't have the time to prepare a healthy meal. But I honestly think that if we are better educated through our jobs and our community groups, some of this can change, but only for those who are willing to accept responsibility and take action for their own lives. 
We are so busy taking care of others that we forget to take care of ourselves!


Tanika McCleod
LPN
Waterfront Health Care Center
Buffalo, NY

For some people, it is very hard to afford more nutritious foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
Sometimes people will opt for the cheaper canned and frozen variety, or nothing nutritious at all. Obviously larger families have a harder time. Me and my mom, because of the cost of living, have a hard time making the dollar stretch. Therefore, we cannot always make the best choices.
Prices either need to go down, or my tax money needs to be refunded to me, which is about $300 to put toward food!

Jennifer Levinsky
Secretary
AECOM
Bronx, NY

I will tell you about the food we are subjected to at work. They are high in carbs. We also have the same unhealthy side dishes. Please, I would rather have the extra money in our contract than have the food served at Mary Manning Walsh Nursing Home. They are high in calories. I watch the new people come in thin and then become fat.
The food is loaded with fat, for example, sausages, beef patties, lasagna and macaroni.

Marie Christensen
CNA
Mary Manning Walsh
Ny,Ny

I feel that I am careful about eating nutritiously, except at parties and other special occasions.
I think it would be very helpful for members to be provided a guide of some sort regarding food labels.
Hydrogenated fats and tans fat talk is in the media now.
Also, a good New Year’s resolution would be to eat more servings of vegetables and fruits.

Sarah B. Caliman
Registrar
Retiree, Mt. Sinai Hospital
Bronx, Ny

We should have annually physical for all employees every year. And we should encouraging endoscopies for everybody.

Luis Matos
Organizer
1199SEIU/Homecare Division
NYC

I'm proud of the direction that 1199 is taking towards promoting good nutrition for better health. I give tips to workers who feel that they can't eat healthily, if the reason is not from allergies but because of no time. Grab an apple or banana instead of chips. Drink water instead of that soft drink. For flavored water, add lemon. Stay away from refined sugar and salt and salt products Love yourself and above all keep your plumbing working on a daily basis, especially night workers.

Donna Pearce
Nursing assistant
NYU Medical Center
NYC

I personally do not have that problem of eating as healthy as possible, because I bring my lunch 99.9% of the time. However, I do think that it would be great to have more exercise incorporated into the work place, more healthy choices in the cafeteria and a mandatory lunch break. This way people must get up from their desk. They could take a walk or go to the exercise room to work out or take a swim. Finally, lunch should be extended to an hour and a half in order that you have the time to eat more slowly and take that walk or swim or even a nap. These few simple things could make the employee/employer more productive during the work hours.

Barbara Simino
Secretary
Maimonides Medical Center 
Brooklyn, Ny