By Quinn O’Hara

Photo by Quinn O’Hara

A program developed by the North Carolina State Extension Office and presented by K-State Extension’s Kaitlin Moore is teaching folks how to eat healthier by incorporating elements of a Mediterranean diet. Dubbed ‘Med Not Meds,’ the course encourages participants to ditch weight loss medication and instead focus on eating more fish, lean meat, nuts, veggies, fruit, and whole grains.

The Wakefield Public Library is currently hosting Moore each Wednesday starting at 6 pm from now until June 12 to teach the Med Not Meds program in one-hour sessions. Moore, who is a Nutrition, Food Safety, and Health Agent for the K-State River Valley District, said variety and mindful food choice is key when eating the ‘Med Way.’

The courses begin with a 45-minute-long slideshow presentation on one aspect of eating the Med Way. The presentation is then followed up by a taste testing of a recipe specifically designed to follow the guidelines explained in the program.

The second presentation, which took place on May 15, focused on the benefits of selecting certain protein alternatives such as fish, ground poultry, and plant-based proteins found in lentils and other similar beans. Before the presentation, Moore prepared a homemade vegetable curry and a homemade bean hummus, both made from recipes in the Med Not Meds program. Those and similar recipes can be found online at www.medinsteadofmeds.com.

Jeanette Sharp attended the first and second Med not Med programs held at the Wakefield Library and talks of her experience taking both classes.

Those interested in attending the program are asked to pre-register for the program by calling the K-State River Valley District Concordia Office. This is to assure enough food for each program. The classes are free to attend.

Moore said that eating healthy can be difficult, but by incorporating subtle changes to their diet as outlined in the Med Not Meds program, anyone can eat healthier. She said, “Give yourself grace and understand that healthy-ish is better than having a meal that’s solely composed of highly processed ingredients. So, you don’t have to be perfect. To be healthy-ish is OK.