Lodi Library to host nutrition classes

The University of California Cooperative Extension will be hosting a nutrition series at the Lodi Library and the first class is today from 4 to 5 p.m. Subsequent classes will be held every Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m. with the last class on Nov. 8

The series consist of eight classes covering a variety of nutrition topics including making healthy food choices, increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables, improving food preparation skills, making food dollars count, understanding food labels, and increasing physical activity. The class is free and is offered in English and Spanish.

According to Claudia Montelongo, who is the instructor for the series, the first class entitled “Get Moving” will focus on exercising and drinking more water. The second class, “Plan, Shop and Save” will focus on what foods to shop for and how to save money as well as how to read food labels. The third class entitled “Vary Your Veggies ..... Focus on Fruit” will focus on how to include a variety of fruits and vegetables in meals.

Whole wheat products like breads, cereal, tortillas and other items will be the topic of discussion during the fourth class entitled “Make Half Your Grains Whole.” The fifth class, “Building Strong Bones will discuss what dairy products are great sources of calcium and the importance of calcium for bones. The sixth class entitled “Go Lean with Protein” will focus on taking the healthy approach to eating meats such as taking the skin off and consuming lean meats with less fat.

The seventh class “Make Change” will focus on the proper intake of sodium and sugar.

“I give them samples of the soda that we normally drink and I show them how much sugar there is in each individual soda,” Montelongo said.

At the final class entitled “Celebrate Eat Smart and Be Active” participants will receive certificates for completing the course along with a CD for exercising and a goody bag filled with recipe books. Participants must attend at least seven classes to receive a certificate of completion. The certification can be used on resumes for jobs regarding nutrition such as working in a school cafeteria.

“We wanted to help out the community in our area there in Lodi. It’s something new for them to try because some people don’t have access to these classes for free,” Montelongo said. “Some people have to go to Delta to take some of these classes and some of these lessons we are covering in the series.”

Montelongo hopes that the series will make people change their eating habits for themselves and their children.

Currently Montelongo has seven people signed up for the series and is hoping to get at least 13. The class is targeted to adults and teen parents. Those interested in registering for the series can call 209-953-6129 or email