Nutrition

An Ornish-friendly food display is an effective teaching tool used to increase participants’ knowledge of acceptable Ornish foods. This display should include a variety of foods and food packages that represent staple and optimal food choices of the Nutrition Spectrum Reversal Program. Add to the display during the course of the Program and encourage participants to contribute items to it. Your display should be complete and accessible to participants by the first day of the Program and maintained throughout the duration of Stage I (first 12 weeks) of the Program. Pre-Program:

 Collect food packages and dry and canned foods for the Ornish-friendly food display. Ask staff members, family, friends, past participants and foodservice staff to clean and set aside any Ornish-friendly food packages to incorporate into your display.

 Focus on foods that comprise the majority of the Nutrition Spectrum Reversal Program—whole- grains, soy, beans, legumes and fat-free dairy. Non-perishable foods, such as dried beans and legumes, brown rice and whole-grains, can be used in their original package or placed in clear, labeled airtight containers.

 Refer to the list of Ornish-friendly Foods on Display for food item suggestions for the display. Once you customize your display table, provide a written list of the food products for a shopping list.

 Locate the display in a participant accessible location, preferably in close proximity to the educational lectures.

 If it is not possible to maintain the display throughout the entire 12 weeks, have the display available at least through Week 2 and then assemble the labels and packages into a binder for use as a nutrition resource.

 Use one or two 6-foot tables or bookshelves to create the food display. The display should be visually appealing, inviting, organized and well-maintained at all times.

 Include a minimum of 25 to 30 foods in the display.

 Consider decorating the display with nutrition-themed or seasonal tablecloths, fruit and vegetable décor or other food or kitchen-related decorations.

 If you choose to display foods that do not fit the Nutrition Spectrum Reversal Program guidelines to help educate participants, it is imperative to use appropriate signage.

Nutrition

Week One:

 Identify and explain the food display to the participants. Encourage them to read the labels, become familiar with the different types of foods on the display, and look for the foods in their grocery and health food stores.

 Invite the participants to add to the display if they find a new or unusual product that meets the guidelines to share with other participants.

 Advise participants to check the Ornish-friendly food display frequently (or the nutrition resource binder if the display has been removed) for new food items. Ongoing:

▪ Periodically check the foods on the display to ensure that they are still manufactured and continue to fit the guidelines. Update the display as needed to keep a variety of foods on the display.

▪ The Registered Dietitian should approve any foods added to the display or binder.

▪ The majority of foods on display should represent the ideal, most nutrient-dense food choices that meet the Nutrition Spectrum Reversal Program guidelines (i.e. whole foods, whole-grains, plant- based proteins, etc.). Limit foods that meet the guidelines, but are not representative of the healthiest choices (i.e. refined grains, fat-free sweets, canned fruits and vegetables, etc.).

Nutrition Ornish-Friendly Foods on Display

WHOLE-GRAINS SOYFOODS STAPLE FOODS  Amaranth  Soy Milk (full-fat)  Bottled Fat-free Salad Dressing  Barley  Dry-roasted Soy Nuts  Fat-free Vegetarian Soup  Brown Rice  Soy Cheese  Vegetable Broth  Bulgur  Edamame/Soy Beans  Fat-free Egg Substitute  Kasha  Tofu  Fat-free Spaghetti Sauce  Oatmeal  Tempeh  Frozen Mixed or Other  Millet  Canned Soy Beans Vegetables  Quinoa

 Wheat Germ MEAT ALTERNATIVES HOT BEVERAGES  Whole-Wheat Flour  Veggie Burgers (Boca Original Vegan or  Cafix  Whole-Wheat Pasta Gardenburger Veggie Medley)  Roma  Whole-Wheat Bagels  Veggie Hot Dogs  Postum  Whole-Grain Cereal  Vegetarian Sausage  Herbal Teas  Whole-Wheat Bread  Textured Vegetable  Whole-Wheat Crackers Protein (TVP) SNACKS  Vegetarian Pepperoni  Baked Tostitos BEANS, PEAS AND  Ground Meat Alternative  Fat-free Popcorn LEGUMES (CANNED OR DRIED)  Whole-Wheat or FAT-FREE DAIRY  Black Beans Fat-free Pretzels  Fat-free Milk  Black-eyed Peas  Rice Cakes  Fat-free Cheese  Garbanzo Beans (sliced or shredded)

 Navy Beans  Fat-free Sour Cream  Pinto Beans  Fat-free Cream Cheese  Split Peas  Fat-free Yogurt  Lentils  Fat-free Vegetarian Baked Beans  Fat-free Vegetarian Refried Beans