Queens Woman Reverses Chronic Illness With Plant-Based Diet

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

As chronic diseases rise across New York and the nation, a Queens woman says a low-cost nutrition program helped her reverse serious health problems and find a new path to wellness.

When Flushing resident Sherika Sterling received bloodwork showing she was prediabetic with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and fatty liver disease, she thought her family history of illness had caught up with her. “I just thought, as you get older, it’s natural for you to experience chronic pain and chronic illnesses,” Sterling said. But last fall, she joined Plant Powered Metro New York’s (PPMNY) Jumpstart program — and within weeks, her health began to change.

Sterling said she no longer suffers from the persistent knee pain that once made mornings unbearable. Her latest bloodwork shows healthy levels for blood sugar, cholesterol and liver enzymes, and she has shed 15 pounds since adopting the whole food, plant-based diet promoted by the program. “It’s not something you have to live with,” she said of chronic disease. “Your future self will thank you for the changes you make.”

PPMNY, a New York-based nonprofit, runs several Jumpstart cohorts each year to teach participants how to prepare affordable plant-based meals, understand the health science behind diet-related illness and find community support through mentorship and group activities. Registration is now open for three virtual cohorts this fall — two in English and one in Spanish — with a sliding scale fee starting at $150.

Health experts say the program arrives at a critical time. More than 40% of premature deaths in New York City are linked to chronic disease, according to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, with Black and Latino New Yorkers facing disproportionate risks. Research shows whole food, plant-based diets can prevent, treat and even reverse conditions like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

Since completing the program, Sterling has become a volunteer with PPMNY to help others explore the same lifestyle changes. “I can only speak for myself and the evidence in my own life, but I would encourage anyone on the fence to give it a try,” she said.

Sterling, who joined the Afro-Caribbean cohort of Jumpstart, said the cultural context was critical in helping her adapt. “Afro-Caribbean people tend to have certain similar health issues, so we would meet weekly and talk through the challenges of adapting to plant-based nutrition,” she said. “We even had a WhatsApp group to share recipes and keep each other motivated.”

The program also encouraged participants to explore new foods. Sterling recalled a trip to a local farmers market where participants received Health Bucks — vouchers to buy fruits or vegetables they had never tried before. “I ended up buying a type of plum, which I’d never had before,” she said with a laugh. “It sounds simple, but it was delicious, and it made trying something new exciting.”

Beyond health improvements, Sterling said the sense of community was one of the most powerful parts of the program. Cohorts held potlucks where participants brought plant-based dishes, dinners at local vegan restaurants, and even movie nights to foster connection. “It was encouraging to be around people who had been plant-based for 10 or 30 years,” she said. “Hearing why they made the transition was inspiring. It made me feel like I wasn’t alone in this.”

The results have been tangible. Sterling said she allegedly lost 15 pounds during the 21-day program — more than she had ever been able to lose in past attempts — and noticed unexpected benefits like clearer skin. “I used to get painful pimples every month like clockwork,” she said. “After changing my diet, my skin cleared up, and that gave me even more motivation to stick with it.”

While she admits she was skeptical at first about giving up meat and dairy, she now embraces plant-based cooking, often making large batches of vegetable soup with kale, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and other seasonal vegetables that she freezes into 20 portions at a time. “Every time I make it, it’s different, and it’s always fun,” she said. “It’s affordable and it keeps me excited about food.”

Sterling also addresses a common concern — whether a plant-based diet provides enough nutrients. “I love kale and spinach, which are packed with calcium and vitamins,” she said. “I also supplement with vitamins B and D. Everything I need, I can get through whole foods and a little supplementation.”

New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reports that chronic diseases remain the leading cause of premature death across the city, disproportionately impacting communities of color in neighborhoods like the South Bronx, Central Brooklyn and Harlem. In 2021, more than 40% of premature deaths were linked to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.

PPMNY says its Jumpstart program, evaluated in partnership with SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, has consistently shown improvements in nutrition knowledge, energy levels, BMI and overall health outcomes. Ninety-eight percent of participants said they would recommend the program to others.

For Sterling, the transformation went beyond the numbers. After completing the program, she became a volunteer with PPMNY to help others. “I feel like what you put in is what you get out,” she said. “If you put good, nutritious things into your body, you’re going to get good outcomes. I would encourage anyone with a history of chronic disease in their family — or anyone already struggling — to give it a try. It’s not the end of the world. Chronic pain and illness don’t have to be your destiny.”

Jumpstart sessions begin in September and October. More information is available at www.plantpoweredmetrony.org/jumpstarts.

Mayor Adams Announces Record 1,100 New Police Officers

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch last week announced the hiring of nearly 1,100 new police officers, marking the largest NYPD recruit class since January 2016.

The 1,093-person August class also sets a record for the Adams administration, surpassing the previous high of 1,045 recruits sworn in January 2025. With today’s class, the NYPD has hired 2,911 recruits so far this year — the most in nearly two decades — with another class planned later in 2025. Including officers already on the streets and in training, nearly 10,000 officers have joined the force under Adams.

The new recruits, sworn in Monday morning, will begin training at the Police Academy on Tuesday. They represent the city’s diversity and experience: members hail from 51 countries, speak 34 languages, and include 80 individuals with previous or current military service.

“Public safety is the prerequisite to prosperity, and today’s announcement shows we are investing in the future of both,” Adams said. “With nearly 1,100 new police recruits — the most in almost 10 years — beginning their training today thanks to expanded eligibility and modernized educational requirements we announced earlier this year, we are building a stronger and more modern NYPD that reflects the diversity, commitment, and determination of our city. These recruits will be part of the nearly 10,000 police officers who have stepped up to serve under our administration, helping us achieve historic reductions in crime and keeping our communities safe. Together, we are ending the culture of ‘anything goes,’ improving quality of life, and keeping New York City the safest big city in America and the best place to raise a family.”

“Today is a defining moment for the NYPD and for New York City — 1,093 new recruits are entering the police academy, the largest class in nearly a decade,” Tisch said. “The single most strategic thing the NYPD can do right now is hire more qualified officers. That’s why we were laser-focused on addressing our recruitment efforts and bringing in the next generation of officers. The momentum is changing, and thanks to Mayor Adams’ support, we will continue to attract the highest level of candidates to protect this city.”

The announcement highlights the Adams administration’s “End the Culture of Anything Goes” campaign, aimed at changing city culture, updating laws, and investing in programs to improve quality of life and reduce public disorder.

The FY 2026 Adopted Budget includes $3.4 billion for approximately 34,000 officers, funding four academy classes, with FY 2027 supporting a force of 35,000.

In February, Tisch announced a three-part plan to attract candidates and modernize education requirements. The minimum college credits to enter the Police Academy were reduced from 60 to 24, and a timed 1.5-mile run was reinstated as a fitness requirement. A recent reassessment found the six-month Police Academy training now equates to 45 college credits, meaning graduates will leave the academy with a minimum of 69 credits.

The changes contributed to a surge in applications: daily filings rose nearly 332 percent, from 53.5 to 231.5, and during the most recent exam, applications spiked 579 percent. Over 5,000 individuals registered for the exam in just two weeks.

The Adams administration credits its public safety investments with historic crime reductions. From January through July 2025, the city recorded the lowest number of shooting incidents and victims in history, driving a 5.6 percent drop in major crimes in July compared with the previous year and an overall 5 percent decline in index crimes year-to-date. So far in 2025, 3,605 fewer New Yorkers have been victims of crime compared with the same period in 2024. The administration also reports removing more than 23,200 illegal guns from city streets since Adams took office.

Adams has also launched a $500 million blueprint to combat gun violence, increased police presence in subways, cracked down on auto and retail theft, added mental health clinicians for those with severe mental illness, piloted new subway technology, and expanded the Saturday Night Lights youth program.

Earlier this week, the NYPD’s Quality of Life Division, launched in April, was expanded to all five boroughs. The unit addresses chronic quality-of-life issues and strengthens community trust, with plans to extend into city housing developments next month.

Through these combined efforts, the Adams administration continues to focus on safer streets, stronger communities, and a modernized police force prepared to meet the challenges of 21st-century New York.

Applicants interested in joining the NYPD can learn more and apply at the department’s recruitment website.