Nutrition at Maple City Health Care Center
What do a swimming pool, a radish, and a deck of cards have in common? The answer is Ingrid Moser.
Ingrid is a nutritionist and the center’s newest employee. She helps patients improve their health through food and exercise.
Ingrid uses a deck of cards and a marked plate to demonstrate healthy serving sizes
“I became interested in Maple City Health Care Center when I heard James speak at the Mennonite Seminary,” Ingrid explained. “What he talked about matches what I believe — especially the importance of relationships in health care.”
Ingrid comes with 18 years experience and a broad education. She majored in nutrition at Goshen College and became a registered dietitian at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Ill.
“I was interested in the connection between health and spirituality, so I took classes at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. Later, I joined Mennonite Mutual Aid to help congregations work on holistic health.”
“I’ve worked with college students, cancer patients, and business executives. I’ve discovered that healthy ways of living rarely happen in isolation. We make changes because of our relationships with people who care about and support us.” Ingrid’s relationship with one of her first patients at Maple City Health Care Center led to a new group activity.
“The patient told me how much she loved the water. We’ve now organized an aerobics group, a swimming pool, and an instructor.”
Ingrid also helps with the Kitchen Garden group. Patients meet weekly to learn about growing, harvesting, and preserving healthy food.
“Last year members of our staff took responsibility to lead the group,” said Ingrid. “This year the group will be led by patients. We will meet every week from March through October.”
Maple City Health Care Center offers land next to the center for garden space. On Monday mornings, Ingrid leads an exercise and education group.
Ingrid also hosts a healthy living group for people who want accountability and support to lose weight or lower blood pressure.
“With Ingrid on our staff, we are better able to integrate diet, spirituality, and health,” explained James Nelson Gingerich, the center’s director.
Ingrid concluded, “Working here at the center is creative and satisfying. I especially enjoy helping all of us feel healthy in the bodies that God gave us.”