Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL)

The Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) program is a community-based and school-based initiative aimed at promoting lifelong wellness through nutrition education and physical activity for children, adults, and families.

The community-based program is designed to promote wellness through accessible nutrition education and physical activity opportunities and events for individuals and families. This program brings health-focused resources, health education classes, and events directly to community members, empowering them to make informed choices about their health and wellness.

The HEAL school-based program engages students with interactive lessons and activities designed to encourage healthy habits in an engaging and fun way.

1. Nutrition Education
   • Curriculum: HEAL uses the USDA's MyPlate framework to teach students about the five food groups (fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy). 
   • Lesson Format: Each 15–20-minute session introduces key concepts of balanced eating and practical ways to make healthy food choices.
   • Evaluation: Pre- and post-questionnaires are conducted with students to assess knowledge gained and program impact.
2. Active Living Partnership
   • In November 2024, HEAL expanded its impact by partnering with the YMCA to provide a dynamic "Active Living" component.
   • After the nutrition lesson, YMCA staff lead students in 15–20 minutes of physical activities such as:
     • Dancing
     • Exercise Routines
     • Sports (e.g., t-ball, relay races, or other team games)

• Educate students on the importance of balanced nutrition and how to incorporate all five food groups into daily meals.
• Encourage physical activity to promote healthy lifestyles and combat sedentary behaviors.
• Empower students to develop habits that foster long-term health and well-being.

By combining education with physical engagement, the HEAL program inspires students to embrace the principles of healthy eating and active living.

On our HEAL pages, you can find simple and easy ways to feel better about the way you move and eat.

• See this month's fruit and vegetable in Healthy Eating.
• Learn about exercises and parks in Active Living.
• See this month's recipes in Get Cooking.
• And learn more about diabetic options in Diabetes 101.