Making health decisions with limited means
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — Eating healthy might not be an issue for some, but for many people living in small communities, it can be a struggle.
Some communities only have access to a local dollar store which often does not have fresh produce. Elizabeth Holley is a dietician at Raleigh General Hospital. She told 59News you can still make healthy choices when it comes to your diet – even at a local dollar store.
Holley said, despite what many believe, canned and frozen foods can still be healthy and beneficial to your everyday diet.
The USDA says poor nutrition is a leading cause of illness in the United States. They also say the average American diet does not align with federal dietary recommendations. Holley tells 59News what advice she would give to a new patient coming to her office.
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I would ask a patient first what they would want to focus on. So, maybe it’s just trying to eat a new vegetable one time a day. I would explore some vegetables they can try and maybe talk about where to find and buy them. Also, maybe discuss how to cook them. You don’t want to try to throw too many different changes at once. It’s not going to be sustainable. It’s going to be more difficult to stick with.”
Elizabeth Holley, dietician at Raleigh General Hospital
Another way to bridge the gap is by going to local farmers markets in your area. Markets in Raleigh County accept senior coupons. These coupons are from a program ran by the USDA.
David Richmond works with the WVU Extension and runs a farmers market which sets up shop in uptown Beckley. Richmond said senior coupons can be picked up at the Raleigh County Commission on Aging. Seniors can redeem these coupons for free fresh fruits and vegetables.
Whether you live five minutes away from access to fresh produce or an hour away, there are always healthy options to feed yourself and your family. It all starts with making better decisions at the grocery store.
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