ARDMORE, OK - According to the Center for Disease Control more than 31 percent of adults in Oklahoma are considered obese. Now one local hospital is trying to help both their patients and staff eat healthier by showing them new ways to prepare meals.

In December, Mercy Memorial Hospital in Ardmore launched a initiative called "Healthification," designed to encourage their patients and staff eat better by not only making healthier choices but incorporating fresh ingredients in to every meal.

Executive chef for the Mercy Health System Jerry Campione says the goal of the new Healthification initiative at Mercy is to get people to eat healthier by showing them how.

"We looked at our cafeterias and our cafes and we realized we weren't giving enough choices. We don't want to take away anything, but we want them to make the right choice," Campione says.

Campione says many of the illnesses that plague our nation including obesity and heart disease can be reversed by simply eating more fruits and vegetables.

"Raw fruits and vegetables can do both of those. It can help prevent heart disease, and it can help prevent some cancers."

Campione is touring Mercy hospital kitchens across the country, showing chefs them how to substitute fresh ingredients for things like salt and sugar.

"It's showing me different ways to use fresh herbs versus those sodium based seasonings to achieve flavor that's not salty but still very flavorful," Food and nutrition manager at Mercy Memorial Charles Spencer says.

Spencer says since the Healthification system launched four months ago, his staff has embraced many of the healthier changes.

"One of them in particular I know is involved in a weight loss challenge, has lost over 30 pounds, totally different person and has given up some bad habits, and most importantly he says he feels so much better, so it's making a impact on our own co-worker group."

Campione says while it maybe more convenient to eat something already made, the nutritional benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables could end up adding years on to your life.

"If we can do that by just changing the diet, by bringing that home and sharing that with their friends and family wouldn't that be a more responsible way to treat that. Now we do that for our patients, why can't we do that for our co-workers?"

Mercy is rolling out several other healthy initiatives over the next year. If you would like more information check the link below.

On the Web:

http://www.mercyok.net/mmhc/