Health Matters
Adventhealth blog offers food tips
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AdventHealth Waterman features a monthly blog to provide tips and help for better health and wellness. A recent blog, which you can subscribe to on the AdventHealth Waterman website, offers meal planning for busy parents.
Among the tips are:
- Plan meals as a family and include lean protein, vegetable or fruit, and whole grains.
- Make it routine with Meatless Monday, Taco Tuesday, Leftover Wednesday, and so on.
- Make one trip per week to the grocery store and plan menus before you go.
- Prep ahead of time so evening meals can be prepared easily and quickly with help from the whole family.
- Enjoy mealtime with talking, listening, and relaxing together.
Hepatitis A hits Tampa
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According to Health News Florida, there has been a steady increase in the number of hepatitis A cases in the Tampa Bay area. Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that is passed through food or drinks contaminated with fecal matter from people who have it. Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez said at a recent news conference that everything is being done to investigate the outbreak and determine its cause. Nunez and other officials are urging people to get vaccinated against the disease.
Don’t hold the phone!
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A press release from AAA reprts that drivers are still holding their phones and talking while behind the wheel of their cars. Nearly half of drivers—49 percent—reported recently talking on handheld phones and driving. Even more troublesome, almost 35 percent were sending a text or an email. This definitely contradicts the poll that said 58 percent of drivers say talking on a cellphone while driving is a serious threat to personal safety and 78 percent say texting is significantly dangerous.
The value of lunch
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You always hear how important it is to eat breakfast, but not much is said about lunch. However, there are also reasons why lunch is as important as breakfast and dinner.
- Lunch is the true hero of the day. After breakfast, your metabolism slows and blood sugar decreases leading to that “sluggish” feeling and lack of focus.
- A break for lunch refreshes the brain and gives you energy to finish your day. A few light exercises during this time also helps.
- Research indicates nutrition has an effect on mental health markers. In fact, most of the well-being hormone serotonin is produced in your gastrointestinal tract, making the foods you eat all the more impactful on the state of your mood.
- Skipping lunch usually leads to overeating at dinner and choosing unhealthy options due to hunger.
- Eating lunch at your desk breeds isolation. Use the midday break for socializing, which will also improve your afternoon productivity.
Source: threebridges.com
Healthy snacks that make you happy!
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Healthy Living received samples of gimMe Snacks and gave them two thumbs up! Our resident vegan says they are a very good way to enjoy healthy seaweed with a delightful crunch. With flavors like almond sesame (her favorite), toasted coconut, and siracha almond, there’s something for everyone. These are organic snacks and also come in crisp chips flavors: teriyaki, sea salt, sesame, and wasabi. Organic, healthy, and convenient—all the ingredients for a great snack.
By the numbers
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Driversed.com recently released its 2019 “Cannabis and Cars Report.” It contains some interesting figures for Americans:
- 58% believe legalized marijuana leads to increased road danger
- 91% believe marijuana impairs driving ability
- 82% say they would not get into a hire car if they felt the driver was impaired
- 20% of drivers admit to driving after smoking marijuana
- 6% say they drive after ingesting it