Food for Thought (and Wellness) at The Mayflower!

Eating right. These days, the phrase has become a shorthand for fad diets and cutting calories, but if you ask Sarah Burke, The Mayflower’s Wellness Coordinator, it’s really about going back to the basics: Filling your plate with fresh, locally sourced ingredients that taste good and leave you feeling good.

“Fresh, whole foods are the most important place to start improving your daily nutrition,” she says. “The more colorful your plate is, the more vitamins, minerals and nutrients you’re consuming. That not only fuels our bodies, giving us the energy we need to move and get through the day, but also fuels our vital organs, including the brain.”

And there’s no better time to refocus on food, experts say. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released updated dietary guidelines for Americans. According to the report, an estimated 90% of healthcare spending in America is focused on chronic conditions, many of which, like hypertension, heart disease, and type II diabetes, are directly related to nutrition.

But while the problems related to poor nutrition can be complex, the solution is all about simplicity: eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, plenty of protein from plants and fish, and minimally processed whole grains.

Fresher ingredients and more variety are also at the heart of the “Colorful Choices” nutrition challenge, which Sarah organizes at The Mayflower. Throughout the month of January, participants try to eat and log 100 servings of fruits and vegetables, while also trying to eat all the colors of the rainbow weekly. Last year, the challenge’s 25 participants consumed more than 1,300 servings of fresh produce in just 21 days.

“At one meeting, we sampled unusual fruits and vegetables, Romanesco broccoli, purple sweet potatoes, gooseberries, parsnips, jicama,” she says. “And those who completed the program celebrated with a special chef’s luncheon at Cru Quarters, where our chefs tried to incorporate as many fruits and veggies into the meal as possible.”

This year, Colorful Choices is bringing new activities to the table: a documentary screening about gut health, a Nutrition Corner with Coconut Curry Squash Soup as the featured recipe, and an expert lecture on superfoods from Dr. Laura Varich, whose website The Fresh Physician offers doctor-approved recipes and nutrition tips to promote lifelong health.

Beyond January, Mayflower residents can also explore monthly nutrition programming, from hands-on cooking activities (like salad-in-a-jar, fruit parfaits, homemade hummus and chickpea burgers) to guest lectures on topics like longevity, the Mediterranean diet, and the relationship between food and brain health. One thing’s for sure: Making healthy choices has never been this delicious.

Of course, that’s just the beginning. At The Mayflower, every aspect of our campus, from our award-winning healthcare to our vibrant programs and activities, is designed to help you live better. And with a worry-free Life Plan to cover all your bases, you’re free to focus on what matters most: You.

There’s no better time to discover all the best Winter Park’s premier community has to offer. To learn more about The Mayflower, or to schedule a personal tour, contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!