Too often, it takes a severe diagnosis to get people to change their eating and living habits. For Dr. Suzanne Banfield, it came in the form of a triple coronary bypass and carotid artery surgery after a routine physical found a major blockage in her left carotid.
“[My life] turned 180 degrees,” said Banfield, a dietician and food scientist. “The blockages were so severe that I had to have the triple coronary bypass. It was a pretty momentous event, as I had no symptoms. The smoking had to go, I started eating better and left my corporate job. … But the changes have worked.”
Banfield remembers sitting in her car, looking at the report in her hand telling her that more than 90 percent of her carotid was blocked. She really wanted a cigarette then, but fear made her put the pack down.
“It’s not even a temptation anymore,” Banfield said.
“Simple changes, big results” is the echoing message that Banfield wants to get across to all women. And, to enjoy the food. A project that Banfield, an educator, is proud of is the “WomenHeart’s All Heart Family Cookbook.” She co-authored the book, along with Kathy Kastan, and came up with the idea when, less than two years ago at a seminar she was heading, a woman asked for educational materials on healthy eating.
After making some contacts and doing research with a good friend, the “WomenHeart’s All Heart Family Cookbook” was born. The book, geared toward women, focuses on the foods we can enjoy, not on the ones we shouldn’t, and contains information and recipes for 40 heart-healthy foods.
“I love berries, so I was thrilled to find them on the list,” Banfield said. “My newest favorite are kiwis; I had no idea they were one of the best ones on the list.”
WomenHeart, the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, is the company that produced the cookbook and an organization dedicated to helping women fight heart disease by educating them about heart disease symptoms. Lisa Tate, CEO of WomenHeart since the summer of 2007, iterates Banfield’s mantra about food.
“Kids and even adults need to be exposed to foods quite a few times,” Tate said. “I keep serving [new foods] to my family, and eventually, they try it.” She further pressed that the key is adding healthy food options.
“Make every food choice better consciously,” Tate said.
I heartily agree.
Book and site info
» “WomenHeart’s All Heart Family Cookbook,” published by Rodale. Cost is $29.95.
» Visit womenheart.org to learn more about heart disease.
