During the holiday season, many are conflicted by the temptation to indulge in the array of food choices, as well as the desire to maintain healthy eating habits.
To help with this dilemma, TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation held an open nutrition class, in November titled “Healthy Sides and Appetizers for the Holidays.”
“Wellness is very important,” said Lauren Bober, clinical manager at the Sandy Springs center. “For cancer patients, we’re trying to remove fear and empower them to make changes in their diet.”
Dietician Melissa Berman led the free class, which filled a boardroom at the center with a presentation of recipes and foods to sample.
“I’m a breast cancer survivor and I wouldn’t say that my diet is one that eats like someone with cancer,” said Berman. “I’m trying to take in healthy foods. Simple sugars and simple carbohydrates, cookies, cakes and pastries, and pies – I’m trying to minimize those. I believe we get most of our nutrients from foods.”
Attendees tasted sweet potato toast, Butternut squash, Sriracha buffalo wings with cauliflower, and the Middle Eastern eggplant Baba Ghanoush.
The attendees were eager to talk about food, as buying and preparing food can be stressful, said Berman.
“At the end of the day, we all want to eat better,” she added. “In a group setting you can learn about different types of foods, how to prepare them, where you can purchase [ingredients], and become your own advocate.”
Berman plans to invite a grocer with a kitchen to participate in TurningPoint’s spring class, and ideally host the event.
TurningPoint is a nonprofit that has supported more than 4,000 women with breast cancer since it was started in 2003. Its rehabilitation modalities include physical therapy, massage therapy, lymphedema management, nutritional counseling and more.
Berman underwent nearly 10 weeks of physical therapy at TurningPoint following her breast cancer surgery. The center’s location in an office complex instead of a hospital setting reduced her anxiety, she said.
“You know when you go there that everyone is just like you and that’s very comforting,” explained Berman, who is not a cancer dietician. “I felt very confident in their ability. That’s why I’m so passionate about the nutrition class, and the fact that I can do a class like this one.”
myturningpoint.org.
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