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Health Tips

"Health is not a condition of matter, but of Mind." -Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health

Whole Grains Lower Stroke Risk in Women
In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers from Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital found that just one more whole grain serving a day that women eat lessens the likelihood of their having a stroke. The research involved a study of 75,521 women participating in Harvard University's Nurses Health Study. Between 1984 and 1996, 352 strokes occurred among the women. The researchers found that the women who ate the equivalent of two or three slices of whole grain bread daily had a 30 to 40 percent lower risk of having an ischemic stroke (the most common type) than women who ate the equivalent of less than half a slice of whole grain bread daily. So replace those refined products with whole grain to benefit from its rewards. This includes whole grain products such as whole wheat bread, whole grain cereal, popcorn, wheat germ, oatmeal, bulgur and couscous.
 

Ten Easy Tips on How to Survive the Holiday Food Frenzy

1. Focus on talking more to party guests and eating less.

2. Avoid hanging around the buffet table at social gatherings.

3. Stick to high protein foods, fruit and veggies when assailed by groaning boards. Go for the turkey, the sliced meats, the fresh fruit and raw veggies (without the dip.)

4. Avoid high fat hors d'oeuvres such as cheese, nuts, saucey tidbits and fried anything. Instead, nibble on the veggies or chew gum and talk a lot.

5. Eat before you go to a holiday gathering. Have a small meal such as fruit and low fat cottage cheese, yogurt, a bowl of consommé with melba toast or a low-cal protein shake, a handful of grapes or an apple.

6. Make yourself the designated driver at least half of the time. This will help you avoid calorie-laden alcoholic beverages.

7. Instead of wine or mixed drinks, try soda water with lime and towards the end of the event, reward yourself for your good behavior with a glass of wine or your favorite drink.

8. Plan holiday activities around things other than food such as an ice-skating party followed by hot spiced apple cider; a sightseeing trip (preferably walking) to view the colorful decorations and lights in your neighborhood or town; a walking window-shopping expedition at your favorite mall; a trip to the woods to chop down your own tree; a tree-trimming party where everyone brings their favorite low-cal treat; a gift gathering and wrapping for orphans, the homeless or old folks in nursing homes; a caroling party to go from house to house (or floor to floor) and sing.

9. Bring your favorite low-fat recipe to a holiday event or dinner. Then eat a lot of it. Taste tempting treats but limit yourself to one small bite.

10. Continue your workout schedule but ease off a bit to allow for the extra time holiday commitments take. You don't want to stress yourself out or quit exercising completely!