VSDC Eat Smart Program

Diet-related illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension accounted for 60% of deaths in Washington, DC, in 2000. Fortunately, a significant amount of research has shown that these illnesses can be prevented, managed, or eliminated through a plant-based, whole foods diet.

The VSDC Eat Smart Program will inspire and empower you with information and strategies to provide a more healthful diet for yourself and your family. The program includes the following activities:

Nutrition classes provide you with knowledge of the basics of good nutrition.
Cooking classes show you how to prepare familiar foods more healthfully, add more fruits and vegetables to your diet, and reduce the amount of meat, dairy products, processed foods, fat, and salt in your diet.
Shopping classes give you practical tips on how to read food labels, shop for healthful foods in grocery stores and health food stores, and stretch every dollar.
Eating Out Healthfully classes help you make wiser menu choices at fast food and take-out restaurants, when snacking, and when packing your lunch.

Other activities include a restaurant visit, a fitness class, a video presentation, and healthy potluck meals. All activities will take place during evenings or on weekends at convenient times and locations.

To be notified when dates are determined, or to ask questions, either use the following form, email VSDC, or call 202-362-8349 and clearly leave your name and telephone number(s).

In the fall of 2007, the 5th Eat Smart program took place in 3 locations: Josephine Butler Parks Center (2437 15th Street NW), SE Tennis and Learning Center (701 Mississippi Ave SE), and the Marvin Gaye Riverside Center (5200 Foote Street NE). The next class is tentatively scheduled for Spring/Summer 2008.

Class Topics

One week before class starts: registration and introduction

Nutrition: Building Blocks of Good Health
Food Prep 1: Familiar Foods with a Healthful Twist -- Delicious Meatless Meals
Exercise and Heart Health
Food Prep 2: Quick and Easy Meals in the Kitchen
Eating Out Healthfully: Wise Choices for Dining Out, At Work, and On-the-Go
Shopping Tips: Reading Labels, Buying Healthful Foods, and Food Handling Techniques
Potluck, Discussion, and Video: Stopping Cancer Before It Starts by Michael Greger, M.D.
Food Prep 3: Great Foods You Might Be Missing
Strategies for Continuing Beyond Program, Weight Loss, Disease Prevention

Graduation Celebration

Graduation Requirements. 1) Register, 2) take pre-and post-tests, and 3) attend at least 7 of the 9 classes or attend at least 6 classes and 1 optional activity. All graduates receive a 1-year VSDC membership.

Instructors

The course instructors for the Fall 2007 session were Jemitra Hairston and David Herring. Future instructors may change.

David Herring, MS, is also the Eat Smart Program Director. David is a full-time nutritionist and a member of the American Dietetics Association and its Vegetarian Nutrition Practice Group. David is the Vice President of the Vegetarian Society of DC and is the Editor of its quarterly newsletter, VSDC News. In addition to VSDC, David also volunteers for the Vegetarian Resource Group of Baltimore, MD, as a book editor and occasional radio guest expert on vegetarian nutrition. David has been a vegetarian/vegan for 14 years.

Jemitra Hairston, MHP, CHHC, RYT, is is the Creative Director of the Green Doorway. She has almost a decade of experience as a wellness counselor, massage therapist, whole foods cook, public speaker, and yoga instructor. Jemitra holds a Masters Degree in Health Promotion from Marymount University, is a certified Thai yoga massage therapist (Touch of Asia), and a certified Holistic Health Counselor (Institute for Integrative Nutrition).

Program funding. Since the program began in 2004, the Vegetarian Society of DC has received funding for Eat Smart from the following organizations: US Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health, Kaiser Permanente, the Consumer Health Foundation, and the DC Escheated Estates Fund.

Read about previous Eat Smart classes:

The VSDC Eat Smart program is not affiliated with the DC DOH Eat Smart Move More Program.