Slow Down at Meals

If you normally rush through a meal, try slowing down. Allow yourself more time to eat. Pay attention to the food’s texture, taste and flavor. Chew slowly and relax!

Following these instructions can help you feel more satisfied, reduce overeating and avoid heartburn.

Source: liveforlife.net

Helpful Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating

The holiday party season is in full swing, and with each party comes the challenge of keeping your commitment to healthful eating. If you are a guest at a gathering, consider these tips to keep your night healthy, happy and safe:

• If you plan to treat yourself later, start your day with a small meal that includes whole grains, fruit, dairy foods and protein like eggs, ham or peanut butter.
• Don’t starve yourself beforehand. Rather, eat a small, lower-calorie meal or snack such as fruit or a bagel so you aren’t tempted to overdo your calorie intake for the day.
• Select carefully between foods you definitely will eat, those you will sample and those you will skip.
• Don’t rush to eat. Socialize and settle into the festivities before you eat.
• Move your socializing away from the buffet or appetizer trays. This will minimize the unconscious nibbling.
• When it comes to drinking alcohol, start with a calorie-free, nonalcoholic beverage. Satisfy your thirst before having an alcoholic drink. Keep in mind, even a single drink will affect your reflexes for several hours. If you plan to drink, keep your holidays merry for everyone by designating a driver who won’t be drinking.

The holidays are a great time for celebrating with friends and family over food and drinks, but with just a little preparation, you can keep off the extra holiday pounds and still enjoy all that the season has to offer.

Source: The American Dietetic Association

Using Common Cold Medicines Safely and Correctly

The cold and flu season is here, along with its symptoms – nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, fever, headache, body aches, sore throat, cough and chest congestion.

The common cold is often associated with several of these symptoms occurring at the same time. Multi-symptom cold medicines are often used to treat the many symptoms that can accompany a cold or flu. Because they treat more than one symptom, they contain more than one active ingredient that treats a different symptom caused by the common cold.

Here are a few tips for the safe use of multi-symptom cold medicines:

•  Always read the Drug Facts label carefully. The label tells you everything you need to know about the medicine including the ingredients, what you are supposed to use it for, how much you should take, and when you should not take the medicine.
• You should choose a multi-symptom cold medicine that matches only the symptoms you have.
• For liquid medicines, use the measuring device that comes with the medicine.
• Certain multi-symptom cold medicines may interact with other drugs. Talk to your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking a multi-symptom medicine.
• Some multi-symptom cold medicines may cause drowsiness or make you sleepy. Be sure to read the warnings on the Drug Facts label and do not use alcoholic drinks, which may make the drowsiness worse.
• Talk to a healthcare professional before taking a multi-symptom cold medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Source: otcsafety.org

Keep Kids Safe this Holiday Season

Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s oldest eye health and safety organization, has declared December Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month. When it comes to toys and gifts for children, Prevent Blindness America says that must-have toys or the one with the lowest sale price may not be the safest choice.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that hospital emergency rooms throughout the U.S. treated 251,700 toy-related injuries in 2010, and 46 percent of those injuries occurred to the head and face area.

Prevent Blindness America says by taking a few simple safety precautions, such as the ones below, the holidays can be safe and happy for everyone:

• Inspect all toys before purchasing. Monitor toys that your child has received as gifts to make sure they are appropriate for your child’s age and developmental level.
• For younger children, avoid play sets with small magnets and make sure batteries are secured with the toy.
• Gifts or sports equipment should always be accompanied by protective gear (such as a face guard with a new batting helmet).
• Any toy that is labeled “supervision required” must always be used in the presence of an adult. Keep toys meant for older children away from younger ones.
• Always save the warranties and directions for every toy. If possible, include a gift receipt. Repair or throw away damaged toys.
• Inspect toys for sturdiness. Your child’s toys should be durable, with no sharp edges or points. The toys should also withstand impact.
• Don’t give toys with small parts to young children. Young kids tend to put things in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking. If a part of a toy can fit in a toilet paper roll, the toy is not appropriate for children under the age of three.