Some habits can be hard to change but an education program is helping the Cessnock community to make healthier lifestyle choices.
Samaritans launched the Coalfields Healthy Heartbeat program in the early 1990s.
It is a health promotion and chronic disease prevention project for the Cessnock area, which is largely known for coal mining.
Project Coordinator Carlicia Chang says the program offers broad education for the community.
“It is funded by Hunter New England Health and provides resources on tobacco cessation and, more recently, vaping,” she says.
“I am a dietitian, so I focus on healthy eating and physical activities.
“A lot of the work that I do is across different age groups. There is a walking group once a week in Cessnock, cooking classes at a Samaritans refuge in Newcastle, and I go to high schools around the Cessnock area to promote healthy lifestyles to young people.
“We’ve collaborated with another service called CAPS [Child and Parenting Support] to educate parents about healthy eating for children and in a family context.
“Habits can be very hard to change but I feel like we’re making a positive impact by spreading the message.”
The program also includes a Healthier Oils initiative, which encourages local food outlets to transition from traditional cooking oils to healthier alternatives to help reduce the consumption of saturated and trans fats within the community.
A Healthy Budget Bites cookbook also shows how to eat well while saving time and money.
The guide is full of useful tips, including planning healthy meals, writing a shopping list, buying fruit and vegetables that are in season, and healthy lunchbox ideas.
Find out more information about the Coalfields Healthy Heartbeat program and download your own Healthy Budget Bites cookbook today here.
