This year’s National Eating Healthy Day is Wednesday, Nov. 4. The American Heart Association and Lutheran Health Network want to encourage healthy eating habits by helping area residents learn simple steps to take with their families, friends and co-workers.

“Most of us know the health benefits of eating foods that are good for you, but it isn’t always easy to break old habits,” said registered dietician Jennifer Hollman, MS, RD, CD, Lutheran Hospital. “National Eating Healthy Day offers people across the country – at home, work or in their community – the support to adopt healthy changes together by providing necessary resources to make it as easy as possible. We believe eating healthy is more than just an effective way to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke; it can also be fun and delicious.”

More than two-thirds of American adults and one in three children and teens are overweight or obese. This puts them at risk for heart disease and stroke, as well as many other chronic illnesses and conditions.

To improve heart-health in the region, the American Heart Association is partnering with Lutheran Health Network, the association’s local Life is Why sponsor to preview ways to eat healthy so residents are ready for National Eating Healthy Day and beyond. Lutheran Health Network dieticians will help shoppers at the YLNI Winter Market on Saturday, Oct. 24, from

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. make heart-healthy food choices, share resources and information, and answer questions on nutrition. The YLNI Winter Market is located at Wunderkammer Company, 3402 Fairfield Ave. Visit www.ylni.org/events/barr-street-market for Winter Market season information.

The community is encouraged to attend and learn the importance of good nutrition and making the best eating decisions to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.