Amy Forester teaches a class entitled Healthy Eating Everyday to the New Year New You contestants.

“I like that I am able to provide information that can actually help people,” Forester said.

The class teaches the contestants what they need to do to improve and how to go about making these changes. The class also teaches how to set goals and reward accomplishments. Trainer Sam Stokes explained that he feels the class is one of the most important parts of the program.

“I don’t think I would be all the way behind (the program) if it did not offer a nutrition class,” Stokes said.

Forester explained that the class focuses more on the lifestyle change than just weight loss. During the early weeks of the class she showed the contestants a portion kit that compared foods to everyday objects. The kit compares a piece of pork to the size of a playing card, and a hamburger patty should be the size of a CD.

“It shows you how to measure things if you are out to eat and don’t have another means of determining the portion,” said Forester.

Another part of the class is a taste testing segment. During the taste testing class, Forester picks a food that comes in many different types and allows the students to try all of them. During this particular class the contestants tried nine different kinds of apples.

“A lot of times people only eat what they are fed by their caregiver so they may not know that they like another kind,” said Forester.

Forester explained that this was an important part of the class because many studies have shown that people do not mind spending more money on a healthy item as long as they know it will taste good.

Contestant Darlene Estridge explained that she has really enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of the class.

“I have learned a lot about better eating choices and what to look for,” Estridge said.

One of the most popular classes has been a shopping night. The contestants spent time in the class learning about reading nutrition labels and what to look for to maintain a healthy diet. To put this in perspective the class took a shopping trip to Wal-Mart to learn exactly what they are looking for in many different brands.

“I wanted them to know what to do if they went shopping on their own,” Forester said.

Forester says the class talked about marketing and the fact that a box may say low fat, but it doesn’t always mean low fat. She also taught them what they need to look out for concerning different health problems.

“If you have high blood pressure then watching sodium and fat is important. If you have diabetes you need to watch carbohydrates and sugars,” she said.

One of the most recent classes taught was on step counters. People tend to think they are more active than they actually are.

“We had a goal of 3,000 steps and I enjoyed hearing a contestant show me their step counter and tell me they reached their goal.”

Forester talked to the contestants about the importance of staying active daily. She explained that it can be OK to go out and eat at a buffet, but in the afternoon it is necessary to be active and continue to exercise.

One of Forester’s favorite things about teaching the class to the New Year New You contestants is having the opportunity to be part of the program.

“I love hearing them interact with each other and support one another. I get to feel like I am a part of the group,” Forester said.

She explains hearing them talk about the different exercise classes they have been apart of at the gym. “I have heard them talk a lot about water aerobics and I love seeing how excited and motivated they are,” Forester said.

FirstHealth offers the Healthy Eating Everyday class to the community apart from the New Year New You challenge free of charge.

Cameron Quick can be reached at (910) 997-3111 or by e-mail at cquick@yourdailyjournal.com.