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Food for Thought

Did you know that February is National Heart Health Month?

There are many actions we can take to improve our cardiovascular health; exercising, not-smoking, controlling stress, maintaining a healthy weight, and of course…eating a heart-healthy diet!  As Laura Koennecke’s Lentil Shepherd’s pie shows us, nutritious can also mean delicious. The secret to heart-healthy eating is to enjoy lean protein, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains while limiting sodium and unhealthy fats and sugars.

When it comes to eating a heart-healthy diet, many of us are fortunate enough to have access to affordable, nutrient dense foods. However, food insecurity puts many of our community members at risk for multiple chronic health conditions, including heart disease, obesity and diabetes. This lack of access to fresh, nutritious food forces people to purchase cheaper, easily attainable, low-quality foods. These foods are higher in salt, added sugars and saturated fats, all which contribute to chronic health conditions, including heart disease. Although there are some low-cost alternatives to fresh foods -  including no-salt-added canned or frozen vegetables, and no-salt-added canned or dry beans and lentils - these options are usually found in grocery stores, not in food deserts. 

There are more than just physical complications that arise from food insecurity; the chronic stress that accompanies it also places a toll on mental health. The constant stress of food insecurity forces people into high-stress mode for weeks, months, maybe even years at a time. The negative impact on mental health can lead to depression, anxiety, anger, and dissatisfaction with life. The vicious cycle continues, and poor mental health can lead to more physical ailments including high blood pressure, irregular heart rate and rhythm, inflammation, and reduced blood flow to the heart. [For more on the relationship between food access, sugar, and mental health, see Nat Granger’s December 22 Letter to the Editor in the Gazette] 

As a community, we’re coming together in many ways to build a heart-healthy food system rooted in cooperation, food sovereignty, and community love. The diverse organizations that make up the Schenectady County Food Council all play important roles. Opening our Electric City Community Grocery will help alleviate food insecurity in our city, allowing affordable access to nutritious heart-healthy foods, and a supportive community with fun, engaging cooking classes and community celebrations. 

For further reading, check out:

• Food Accessibility, Insecurity and Health Outcomes (2023, April 26). National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. https://www.nimhd.nih.gov/resources/understanding-health-disparities/food-accessibility-insecurity-and-health-outcomes.html

• Stress and Heart Health (2021, June 21). American Heart Association. Retrieved January 22, 2024, from https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/stress-and-heart-health

• Food insecurity (2024, January 17). Healthy People 2030. Retrieved February 2, 2024, from https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health/literature-summaries/food-insecurity

• Food and Nutrition Insecurity and Diabetes: Understanding the Connection (2022, August 1). Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 2, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-and-food-insecurity.htm