1 GUIDE YOURSELF TO GOOD HEALTH A HEALTHY EATING WORKSHOP FOR THE BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED CLAIRE CANTOR, DIP. N RNIB, 27 th September 2013

2 What is one of the most controversial subjects in our society? It is in the news daily Obesity crisis/ super foods/ new promising diets/ food and our health/ food in schools and hospitals/ famine Food

3 What does the word evoke for you? Love/ fear/ happy memories of childhood/ a battle with the bulge and constant dieting/ guilt/ hunger/ long lunches with friends/ disinterest/ too much food/ not enough food/ recipes and experimenting/ taste/ confusion/ health/ culture We are challenged and questioned all the time on what foods are good for us. Eg one day red meat is good for you and the next day it’s not, the same with coffee, wine, chocolate…and the list goes on. One day we should eat carbs, the next day we should never eat carbs, well at least not after 6pm. But most of us know what foods are good for us. We know how we feel when we have eaten a wholesome meal, or when we have eaten “junk food”, or too much sugar, caffeine or alcohol.

4 Food Choice Our food choices are dependent on many things: habits, dining with friends, peer pressure, budget, availability, culture, time, emotion, advertising etc. Despite all these confusing messages, I know, and you know, that instinctively we know what is good for us.

5 My aim is: To help people reconnect with their natural instinct for healthy eating To help people get back to a true understanding of what their bodies need to function at their optimum level. To feel better about themselves, to empower them, to help them break out of ruts. To help people feel “able” to make changes and take more care of themselves, and so improve their health even in small ways.

6 My Background I have been working as a Nutritionist for the past 5 years. The majority of my work is creating and running workshops on healthy eating for specific audiences. I currently run regular workshops: Don’t Sweat the Menopause- Nutrition for the Menopause Healthy Eating for Children -where I have spoken to over 1,000 children in schools in Haringey and Barnet Eating for the Time of your Life-Healthy Eating for the Elderly Guide Yourself to Good Health- Healthy Eating for The Blind and Partially Sighted As well as one to one consultations and cooking workshops on request. I am married, have 2 children and I live in Muswell Hill, North London.

7 What can I do for you? Working with the Blind and Partially Sighted I have developed and run Healthy Eating Workshops for the Royal London Society for the Blind as part of a 3 year project supported by Haringey NHS. Inspired by the result and the quality of the interaction with the RLSB group, I was keen to explore a collaboration with the RNIB. The need is certainly there for this population and I am convinced that this approach can have great impact and make all the difference for individuals. Since last winter I have run several workshops for Action for Blind People, several at the Headquarters in Kings Cross, as well as Dulwich with more planned for the coming weeks in Tottenham and Dagenham. The second year of the Haringey programme has already begun.

8 The Workshops Explore a reconnection with each person’s natural instinct for healthy eating. Provide an Abc of nutrition and the basics of healthy eating How to achieve a balanced and varied diet naturally, and eat for optimum health Healthy, economic meal options Ideas for saving money, time and avoiding waste Simple, healthy recipes and cooking ideas The workshops are: Interactive, lively and informative Give the practical tools to enable participants to make changes to their lifestyles Participants are encouraged to focus on their own health needs in a warm, secure and encouraging environment. Issues specific to the blind are discussed in a supportive way.

9 The Programme Part 1 1. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 2. DEVELOPING A NATURAL INSTINCT FOR HEALTHY EATING 3. WHY DO WE NEED TO EAT HEALTHY FOODS 4. FOOD CHOICES 5. THE FOOD GROUPS 6. INTRODUCTION TO VITAMINS AND MINERALS 7. FOOD AND EYE HEALTH 8. SUMMING UP and PERSONAL OBJECTIVES Part 2 1. FEEDBACK ON PERSONAL OBJECTIVES 2. BUDGETTING, SHOPPING AND TIPS 3. FRIDGE AND STORE CUPBOARD ESSENTIALS 4. PLANNING A BALANCED MEAL/ FOR THE WEEK 5. RECIPE EXCHANGE 6. SUMMING UP, FEEDBACK, PERSONAL OBJECTIVES

10 Testimonials “I have realised how, for many years, I have been neglecting my own nutritional needs, gaining weight and generally feeling unhealthy. I feel this course has given me the knowledge, time and support to think about, and make changes”. Royal London Society for the Blind, Healthy Eating Course Participant, Winter RLSB were delighted with the workshops, they are of great value to our audience and would be happy to recommend Claire to other organisations. Amardeep Tokhi, RLSB January 2013 Many thanks to you. The group that you met yesterday are very critical. As you may have picked up, they will say exactly what they are thinking. The feedback from your session was really positive. They loved it. The only criticism was that it was not long enough. Perhaps we can look at extending your next workshop. Nick French, Workshop Coordinator, Action for Blind People July 2013

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