By Joyanna Love/Senior Staff Writer

Those wanting to make more nutritious choices have a new resource at the YMCA.

Thursday begins a series of monthly nutrition seminars led by Tasha Hayes.

These seminars will be open to the public, regardless of Y membership, for $10. Sessions will be held at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Pre-registration is not required.

This first seminar will be focused on “Stop eating C.R.A.P.” Hayes explained the acrostic as the things people should stay away from to make nutritious choices. These include: “carbonated drinks, refined sugars, artificial food and processed food.”

“Trying to teach everyone to eat healthier, do healthier, make health conscious decisions — that is my goal for this month,” Hayes said.

She will be discussing the effects of carbonated drinks and eating out a lot on the body.

“As much as you can get fresh fruits and vegetables the better,” Hayes said.

Hayes said moderation and portion control are major elements of making healthy food choices.

“When you go eat dinner somewhere, the portions are so astronomical,” Hayes said.

The correct portion from a nutrition standpoint is often what a restaurant would set as a children’s meal.

She said “it is OK to reward yourself,” but eating out should be limited.

“If you can do it in moderation, you are going to be healthier, live longer, you are going to get sick less,” Hayes said.

She said cooking at home is a better option for those who are trying to make more nutritious choices.

Hayes said taking a daily multi-vitamin is important to one’s health goals.

“We don’t get what we need a lot because of the way people eat,” Hayes said.

Drinking water is also important. Hayes said everyone should drink half their body weight in ounces of water each day. For example, a person weighing 140 pounds should drink 70 ounces of water each day.

“Your juices are fine, too. As long as you are limiting the sugar, and you need to drink your milk, one percent [fat] or less,” Hayes said.

Hayes has a bachelor’s degree in nutrition. She worked as a nutritionist for four years with the state before taking time off to be with her children.

“I have always been health conscious,” Hayes said.

Hayes said there is the potential of offering more than one seminar a month, if there is a demand for it.

“People are eager to eat healthy, they want to do it … what I see with people is they want to eat healthy and they just need the encouragement,” Hayes said.

Future topics may include diabetes and the importance of eating nutritious food while pregnant.

In addition to the monthly seminars, Hayes will also be providing one-on-one nutrition counseling at the YMCA. Hayes said this includes meetings with someone about their health goals and developing meal plans to reach those goals.

For more information about upcoming seminars, contact the YMCA of Chilton County at 205-755-2382.