Meet a Health Hero: Tanya Sen


Tanya Sen

Tanya Sen

» You can vote for Tanya on our Facebook page October 14th through 20th. Mark your calendar!

Name: Tanya Sen

Occupation: Nutrition program manager at the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger and program director for the Coalition’s Green Light Pantries, a healthy food pantry program

Who or what motivates you to be healthy?
I just feel better when I eat healthy. I can really tell the difference in my energy level, mood and overall health when I eat well.

Describe a health or fitness related turning point in your life.
My father had a lot of health issues, from diabetes to high blood pressure. He had a stroke and I saw how his stroke affected his quality of life and physically limited what he could do. I would like to do everything I can to avoid that for myself and others.

What “policy” would you institute to make Greater Philadelphia a healthier region?
I would invest more in and promote programs that increase access to fresh vegetable and fruit purchases like Philly Food Bucks and Double Dollars. Everyone should be able to eat healthy regardless of their income or where they live.

What’s the most important part of your health or fitness regimen?
Knowing what is in my food is very important to me. I like to have control of what I put into my body and I have the most control when I make it myself. If I purchase something pre-made, I read the list of ingredients. I also like to keep some staples, like prepared brown rice or quinoa, or other things I make in bulk quantities, like ratatouille or soup, in the freezer so I can pull them out and eat them when I am short on time.

What is your number one piece of health-related advice?
Eat more vegetables! They provide so many health benefits, but most of us are not eating enough of them. You don’t have to like every vegetable, but give those vegetables that you thought you didn’t like another chance. Sometimes preparing them a different way can make all of the difference.

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