MedStar Health Lafayette Centre Hosts Holiday Season Healthy Eating Event Treating D.C. Commuters to Healthy Breakfast Snack

Washington, D.C., – MedStar Health at Lafayette Centre hosted a community and commuter outreach event in downtown Washington, D.C., to promote health and wellness throughout the winter months.

Led by Theresa Stone, MD, co-founder and medical director of MedStar Health’s Fresh & Savory Culinary and Lifestyle Medicine program, and two of her patients, D.C. commuters on foot, on bikes and even in cars were treated to healthy, high-energy date balls and nutrient-rich warm turmeric latte. Both are recipes Fresh & Savory participants learn to make.

Dr. Stone and her patients, Paul Schwartz and Sherri Fennell, also handed out healthy recipe cards, fruit, and information on how to make healthy choices throughout the winter holidays and throughout the year.

Fresh & Savory is a shared medical appointment for patients with diabetes, heart disease and other conditions who come together once a week for eight weeks to cook together.  They also hear from experts about the importance of other lifestyle factors like reducing stress and getting enough sleep.

“We know it’s not always easy to maintain a healthy lifestyle any time of year, and particularly in winter months when family gatherings and celebrations present added temptation and disruption,” says Dr. Stone. “Fresh & Savory is an innovative program that uses community, collaboration and encouragement to help patients identify ways to live well that are effective, accessible and even fun.”

Paul Schwartz of Washington, D.C., lost 105 pounds through Fresh & Savory. “I lost my son, my only child, to an accident back in 2012 and I just ate my pain away,” says Schwartz.  “I got up over 300 pounds, my diabetes was out of control and I was having heart issues.  Being part of the Fresh & Savory community helped me heal my heart, improve my health and my overall outlook on life. I strongly recommend Fresh & Savory to others.”

Dr. Stone advises that people can help take control of their weight and overall health by considering certain lifestyle choices, like:

• Select meals or holiday dishes that are high in vegetables.
• Avoid processed meats and fats and look for alternatives like olive oil for cooking or fresh fruit as a snack.
• Stay active in creative ways, like a family walk after a large holiday meal.
• Get enough sleep. Eight or nine hours a night will help with physical and mental health.

The program combines traditional medicine, nutrition and holistic approaches to diet, mental and physical health to help patients craft a lifestyle approach that works for them. 

Sherri Fennell, of Maryland, joined the program at the urging of her cardiologist and lost 20 pounds.  “I just love Dr. Stone and the people in the Fresh & Savory program,” says Fennell. “I never heard of quinoa before I took the class, and I started cooking with it at home and substituting it for other less healthy foods and now my husband, who was skeptical, asks for it all the time.” 

MedStar Fresh & Savory is managed via an 8-week program, meeting weekly at MedStar Health Lafayette Centre in downtown, D.C. New classes are enrolling now. To learn more call 202-416-2000 or visit MedStarHealth.org/Lafayette-Centre