June 5, 2020

Following through with routine medical care is still important, even in the wake of COVID-19. If you’re dealing with chronic health issues or just not feeling your best, it may be worth talking to your doctor about a blood test for Vitamin D deficiency. There are many conditions which seem negatively affected by low levels of Vitamin D. Check out the Spotlight on Nutrition page for more information about health concerns which could be related to these levels.

To build up your levels, you can take the following actions: – Spend short periods of time in the sun (without sunscreen as it blocks absorption of UV rays needed to make Vitamin D in the skin)
– Eat foods that are a natural source of Vitamin D *Fatty fish like salmon, tuna and sardines *Egg yolks *Cheese *Beef liver
– Eat foods which are fortified with Vitamin D *Dairy products *Orange juice *Soy milk *Cereals
– Follow a doctor’s orders for taking Vitamin D supplements (prescribed or over-the-counter) Vitamin D is fat-soluble, so it needs fat to be absorbed by the body. This is a vitamin which the body stores, so toxic levels can be of concern. That is why it’s so important to work with your doctor to determine if your levels are too low and how to improve them safely. But, having adequate Vitamin D levels may be beneficial for a variety of physical and mental health issues.

June 3, 2020

I’m back with more Wellness Wednesday tips. If you have immediate family members with diabetes and are concerned you might develop it, then this information is for you! Preventing prediabetes is as simple as adopting a healthier lifestyle.

About 84 million adults in the U.S., more than 1 out of 3, have prediabetes. Ninety percent of people with prediabetes don’t know they have it. If left untreated, prediabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes. Put simply: it’s smart to take precautionary steps to avoid prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Being diagnosed with prediabetes means your blood glucose levels are above normal, but not quite high enough to be considered diabetic. There are several risk factors associated with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, which include: being overweight, living a sedentary lifestyle, having a family history of diabetes or heart disease, battling high blood pressure or cholesterol and being older than 45.

There are several simple changes you can adopt to prevent prediabetes:

LOSE WEIGHT: Even a loss of 5–7% of body weight can make a drastic impact on your risk of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
EXERCISE: Participate in regular physical activity to lower risks for prediabetes.
EAT HEALTHY: Cut out sodium-heavy restaurant and processed foods, and replace with fresh produce and lean proteins.
QUIT SMOKING: People who smoke have a 30 – 40 percent higher risk of diabetes than non-smokers. Smoking is known to increase inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, both of which damages cells and interferes with proper cell function (which can contribute to developing diabetes).

Being consistent with lifestyle changes is a gift to your health. Make proactive choices that will help you stay motivated and be sure to actively solve any problems that interfere with your goals.

June 1, 2020

Mindful Monday should become a thing… especially as we are staying home more. Actually, being more mindful of our actions and choices is a good habit to develop for every day! Being at home may have you struggling to get enough physical activity. Parents who are working may be concerned about the screen time their children have available. And, when the kitchen is just steps away, it’s hard to consider it “CLOSED!” between meals.

Whether you’re trying to be mindful of what you’re putting in your mouth, how active you are, or to deal with anxiety of current events, mindfulness practices are the same. Check out these ideas for mindfulness. They’re geared to kids and teens, but really a solid start for anyone who is trying to develop more mindful skills. https://kidshealth.org

Dietitians Dish – June 1, 2020

June is Fresh Fruits & Veggies Month!

In the wake of this global pandemic, there’s a growing concern about how to build up our immune system. So having a month devoted to fresh produce is timely! Their wealth of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other beneficial aspects help to:

• Support general health • Better manage chronic health conditions • Build up immunity

Stay on budget – Buy items that are in season, locally grown, or on-sale. Choose hearty ones that are long-lasting. Proper storage also helps to avoid them going to waste. Produceforkids.com offers great information on how to properly store and use all kinds of fruits and vegetables.

Skip the bagged chips and find new ways to use some of these produce items as snacks.

Cinnamon Apple and Sweet Potato Chips

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp. each of sugar and cinnamon
• 1 apple, thinly sliced
• 1 sweet potato, peeled and thinly sliced

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
• Place apple and sweet potato slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture.
• Bake 20-25 minutes, or until slices are golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool. Chips will crisp as they cool.

 

May 28, 2020

Get into the habit of THANKFUL THURSDAY!

Distancing doesn’t have to mean you’re completely disconnected! You can pick up the phone to talk, text, or video chat with others. During this time of social distancing, make an effort to stay connected to those people who are important in your life. Share with your family, friends, church community, etc. why you are thankful that they are part of your life. The key to maintaining emotional connections is opening up to others, even from a distance! If you’re just not up for the sense of community, you can focus on what makes you thankful more privately.
START A GRATITUDE JOURNAL! Each day when you wake up, jot down what or who you are grateful for that day. And then, as you settle into bed at night, think about what happened throughout the day and find 1 thing that made you grateful or was positive about your day. Ending the day with this mindset of positivity can help you get to sleep easier and may help to ward off the negative thoughts that can disrupt sleep or cause insomnia. Getting adequate rest each night is another important way to take care of yourself that supports health and immunity.

FAMILY ACTIVITY: Create a gratitude jar. Each day, have every family member write one thing they’re grateful for (something or someone they appreciate, something that happened that day, etc.). This is a great way to stay positive during this difficult time and can serve as a time capsule for this historic time in life.