Fit Together Highlights
Get to Know Us!
Whether you are a new member of our Fit Together community or a long-standing supporter, we wanted you to get to know us better. Fit Together is Northwest CT’s Healthy Eating & Active Living Initiative.
We formed in 2011 as a volunteer-based collaborative of concerned citizens and partner organizations focused on improving the health and well-being of our community. You can learn more about our Mission, History, and Initiatives through our updated About Us page.
Please also follow us on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about our Steering Committee members, as we feature a new member every week. We started with our dedicated Executive Director, Carla Angevine, MPH, MS, RDN.
Kids’ Corner – Curbing a Sweet Tooth
Sugar is EVERYWHERE! Reading nutrition labels will show you that many processed foods and drinks contain sugar in its various forms. All that added sugar offers no nutritional value while contributing to weight gain and tooth decay.
But kids (and adults) LOVE the sweet taste. What can you do? Following are steps you can take to help curb a desire for sweets, including:
- Always offering unsweetened drinks such as water, which is always the best option, or milk (dairy or plant-based).
- Allowing your child to pick out a colorful water bottle that they will be excited to use.
- Swapping unsweetened, flavored seltzer for sodas and sports drinks, which are loaded with sugar.
- Infusing water with lemons, limes, berries, cucumbers, mint leaves, or other natural flavors to make it more fun.
- Diluting juice and sugar-sweetened drinks with water. They will still be sweet!
- Emphasizing the natural sweetness of healthy foods such as lower-sugar fruits like berries, citrus, peaches, and cherries, and vegetables like sweet potatoes and squash,
- Experimenting with sugar-free flavorings like vanilla or almond extract, citrus, cinnamon, and coconut. And trying more flavorful natural sources of sugar like maple syrup, honey, and date sugar, that can be used in smaller amounts.
See our Healthy Recipes feature below for even more tips on reducing sugar in your Thanksgiving recipes.
Resources for Getting Less Sugar
The following resources and recipes could also help in lowering your child’s sugar intake:
- Infused Water Recipes – Our own Fit Together recipes for infused water.
- Rethink Your Drink Printables – a collection of downloaded resources from UCSF.
- Rethink Your Drink – helpful tips from Actions for Healthy Kids.
- Added Sugars on the Nutrition Facts Label – a guide to reading a nutrition label for sugar.
Worksite Wellness Tip – Diabetes Basics
November is National Diabetes Month. It is estimated that over 38 million people have diabetes in the US. And these rates are climbing. Chances are good that you know someone with diabetes, or you yourself could be dealing with the challenges of high blood sugar.
As such, it is helpful for everyone to understand the basics of managing diabetes. Learn those basics, and access reliable resources, where you can get more information, below.
Diabetes Basics
- Plan healthy, balanced meals and snacks. Consistency is important for healthy blood sugar levels. Don’t skip meals, maintain moderate portions, and try to include a healthy source of carbohydrates, protein, and fat at every meal and snack. The healthiest options include unprocessed foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats, nuts, seeds, and low-fat dairy products.
- Stay active. Every little bit counts. Physical activity naturally lowers blood sugar, so walking after meals or incorporating a daily exercise program is important.
- Track your blood sugar. Learning how what you eat and drink impacts your blood sugar levels is powerful. It teaches you how to make adjustments that work for your unique body.
- Take your prescription medicines every day. Set an alarm on your phone to help you remember.
- Reduce your stress levels and get plenty of rest. Stress increases blood sugar levels, so finding healthy ways to reduce your stress and get the rest you need is essential.
- Work with your healthcare team. They are the experts on diabetes care, and they can make you an expert too. Try not to skip appointments and take advantage of diabetes education programs.
Learn more about the basics of “Living with Diabetes” from the CDC.
Diabetes Resources
- “Healthy Living with Diabetes” Education Program (Charlotte Hungerford Hospital)
- Diabetes Resources from the CDC – a comprehensive list of resources including prevention, risk factors, and tools for living with the disease.
- Diabetes Kickstart Video Series – 7 short videos to help you understand the basics of diabetes.
- Diabetes Kickstart Handouts – printable handout to share.
- Your Guide to Healthy Living – resources from the American Diabetes Association.
- Managing Diabetes – information from the NIH.
Healthy Recipes – An Easy & Healthy Thanksgiving
As Thanksgiving approaches, you might be searching for the perfect dish. But life’s busy, and it is hard to plan a celebratory meal that checks all the boxes of being delicious, healthy, and easy to prepare. We get it! We’ve done some of the legwork for you. Following are some great Thanksgiving recipe ideas that can support you in making a meal that is healthy AND easy.
- 8 Heart-Healthy Thanksgiving Sides That Will Steal the Show– delicious dishes from EatingWell
- A Healthy & Easy Thanksgiving Menu – the dietitians at SNAP4CT share a simple Thanksgiving menu
- 10 Swaps for Healthier Baked Goods – lighten up your holiday baking with easy swaps.
Don’t forget—having a healthy Thanksgiving is more than just the food. Slow down and savor your time with your loved ones. That is what the holiday is really about. And, work off the extra holiday calories with more movement. Participate in a local turkey trot or just take a walk around the neighborhood after your meal.
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