Heart disease is the number one killer in Louisiana. More people die of heart disease than all forms of cancer combined in our state. Prevention is key. A healthy diet and exercise can help reduce risk factors associated with heart disease. Because of this, the American Heart Association and Whitney Bank have teamed up with Baton Rouge Food Bank in the Capital Area and Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana in Lafayette and Lake Charles.
The health of our community is extremely important to the Whitney Bank team,” said Greater Baton Rouge Regional President Robert Schneckenburger. “Frequently, those at high risk of hunger are also people with the highest risks of heart disease, our state’s number one killer. By aligning with the American Heart Association with local food banks, we are able to support core needs in our community and carry on the core values of our company.”
Heart disease is a risk factor for each and every member of the community as heart disease does not discriminate against age, race, gender or economic status. Many in our community are not only at risk of heart disease but also at risk for hunger. Those in our community who are at risk of hunger are also at risk of heart disease. Many nonperishable food items that are shelf stable for food banks are high in sodium.
The American Heart Association is calling on the community to donate heart healthy nonperishable food items at any Whitney Bank location in the month of November.
This food drive will help to provide healthy food options to those who are at risk of hunger in our community. Many nonperishable foods tend to be high in sodium and/or provide minimal nutritional value. Some nonperishables that may be higher in sodium can still provide a great source of protein, fiber and antioxidants. Molly Kimball, registered dietitian, has created a list of heart healthy, nutrient-rich nonperishable food items for the community to donate in the Heart Healthy food drive. These items include:
Cereals:
• Nutritious Living’s Hi-Lo cereal
• Kashi Go Lean cereal
• All Bran cereal
• Kashi Go lean hot cereal packets
• Kellogg’s Special K protein plus cereal
• Original Fiber One cereal
• Quaker Oats Oatmeal
• Quaker Instant Oatmeal (‘low sugar’ and ‘weight control’ varieties)
Baking Mixes:
• Hodgson Mill’s Whole Wheat Pancake Mix
• Quaker Oatmeal Pancake mix
Chips/Crackers:
• Atheno’s Whole Wheat Pita Chips
• Baked Tostitos scoops
• Glenny’s Soy Crisps
• Mary’s Gone Crackers
• Sun Chips
• Triscuits and Triscuit Thin Crisps
Condiments:
• Chef Paul Prudhomme’s No Salt/No Sugar Magic Seasoning Blends
• Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Magic Pepper Sauce
• Tabasco sauce
• Hellman’s light mayonnaise
Granola Bars:
• Kashi Honey Almond Flax Granola Bar
• Snackwell’s cereal bars
Dry/Canned Goods (low sodium or no-salt-added when available):
• Brown Rice
• Whole wheat pasta
• BlueRunner Creole Cream-style Red Beans, Navy-beans
• Camilla beans (black, kidney, lima, navy, split pea, white)
• Chicken of the sea pink salmon
• Fieldpeas, Black Beans
• Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin
• No Salt Added Canned Vegetables (e.g. spinach, collard greens, turnip greens)
• Starkist chunky light tuna in water
Pasta sauces:
• Sal & Judy All natural heart smart– all 55% less sodium – chunky Italian sauce, roasted garlic and original
Peanut butter
• Justin’s all natural Almond butter
• Simply Jif Creamy
• Smucker’s natural peanut butter – creamy or chunky
Soups (low sodium or no-salt-added when available):
• Amy’s Organic Soups – lentil, split pea, vegetable
• Healthy Valley Organic – Lentil, Garden vegetable, split pea and carrots, beef broth (no salt added)
• Healthy Valley Organic – vegetarian chili
Sweeteners:
• Sugar-free pancake syrup – any brand
• Swerve
• Truvia
Sweets:
• Bake-to-Nature Triple Ginger Cookies
• Kashi’s Chocolate Soft-baked brownie squares