ARCHIVEHealth Tips'Low-fat' or 'No fat' doesn’t mean 'No calories'
Nonfat and low-fat foods may still have a lot of calories. These foods often have extra sugar, flour, or starch thickeners to make them taste better....
Word Count: 90 A child’s eye view
To determine if your house is truly safe for small children, get on your hands and knees and get a look at things at a child’s eye level....
Word Count: 46 A Healthy Gift For Dad
For a great Father’s Day gift, try going to your farmer's market or grocery store and...
Word Count: 45 A Tip For Speedy Eaters
When we eat quickly, our body thinks it needs more food to be satisfied. It takes approximately 20 minutes for your brain to get the message that you...
Word Count: 52 An Easy Way To Get More Calcium
An easy and economical way to boost the calcium content of many meals is to add nonfat powdered dry milk to puddings, homemade cookies, breads or muff...
Word Count: 60 April Is National Donate Life Month
Donating organs, marrow and tissue is a kind and compassionate act that protects and enhances the precious gift of life...
Word Count: 117 Are 'hypoallergenic' cosmetics a better choice?
"Hypoallergenic" cosmetics are products that manufacturers claim produce fewer allergic reactions than other cosmetic products. Consumers with hyperse...
Word Count: 111 Are cough and cold medicines safe for children under 2?
There are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved dosing recommendations for children under 2 years of age. These drugs can, in rare cases, be...
Word Count: 48 Are Fast Foods Forbidden?
Fast foods can be part of a healthy weight-loss program. Choose...
Word Count: 73 Are fresh foods more nutritious than canned foods?
One-third to one-half of vitamins A and C, riboflavin, and thiamin are destroyed by heat during the canning process. An additional 5 to 20% of these...
Word Count: 103 Ask questions and expect answers
Research shows that people who are more involved with their health care tend to get better results....
Word Count: 44 Asthma and Pregnancy
It is especially important for pregnant women with asthma to control their asthma. Uncontrolled asthma can limit...
Word Count: 47 Avoid infection during pregnancy
Infections during pregnancy can be dangerous to an unborn child. Urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases need to be treated immedia...
Word Count: 119 Back To School Health Tips
Take steps to stop the spread of germs and ask your health care provider if you and the kids should get a flu vaccination in the fall. Also, be sure t...
Word Count: 66 Before you fire up the outdoor grill
Before cooking with a gas grill, check the air tubes that lead into the burner to make sure they are not blocked by insects or food grease....
Word Count: 74 Bicycle Safety
Bicycle helmets can prevent up to 88 percent of cyclists' brain injuries, according to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute. Make sure that helmets are...
Word Count: 56 Bug Off
Insect repellents for children should contain no more than 10 percent DEET. This chemical, which is absorbed through the skin,...
Word Count: 45 Buyer beware
Fruit and vegetable washes are available in many supermarkets. While these products are safe to use, there is no evidence that they...
Word Count: 39 Can I use an insect repellent and a product containing sunscreen at the same time?
You can, and should, use both a sunscreen and an insect repellent when you are outdoors. Apply sunscreen first...
Word Count: 79 Charcoal Grills
Use extreme caution when cooking on charcoal grills to prevent burns and smoke or gas inhalation. Never use gasoline in place of charcoal lighter flu...
Word Count: 70 Children and Aspirin
Children and teenagers who have chickenpox or flu symptoms (or are recovering from these or other viral illnesses) should never take aspirin, or produ...
Word Count: 51 Cleaning kitchen counters
Bleach and commercial kitchen cleaning agents are effective at getting rid of bacteria -- when they are properly diluted....
Word Count: 63 Cook Food Completely At One Time
Do not partially cook food and then finish cooking it later....
Word Count: 32 Dirty Dining
When dining out, you may want to think twice about ordering foods that require a lot of chopping and mixing....
Word Count: 38 Disinfect Your Kitchen Sponge
Bacteria thrive in sponges. If using a sponge to clean up,...
Word Count: 25 Do fats in the diet affect blood pressure?
Fats do not directly affect blood pressure. However, saturated fats and cholesterol in foods raise blood cholesterol, which...
Word Count: 43 Do hard-cooked eggs spoil faster than fresh eggs?
When shell eggs are hard cooked, the protective coating is washed away. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter and contaminate the egg....
Word Count: 55 Do I need to get vaccinated against the flu every year?
Yes. The reason is that flu viruses change from year to year. This means two things. First, you can get the flu more than once during your lifetime...
Word Count: 135 Do older adults need as much sleep as younger people?
Sleep needs change over a person's lifetime. Children and adolescents need more sleep than adults. Interestingly...
Word Count: 37 Do some cuts of meat have less fat than others?
Absolutely! Lower-fat cuts:...
Word Count: 36 Do some foods burn fat?
No food can burn fat. Some foods with caffeine may speed up your metabolism (the way your body uses energy, or calories) for a short time,...
Word Count: 55 Does eating after 8 p.m. cause weight gain?
It doesn't matter what time of day you eat. It is what and how much you eat and how much physical activity you do during the whole day that determine...
Word Count: 95 Does grilling pose a cancer risk?
Some studies suggest there may be a cancer risk related to eating food cooked by high-heat cooking techniques as grilling, frying and broiling. Based...
Word Count: 116 Does it matter what kind of sunscreen I use?
Sunscreens come in a variety of forms such as lotions, gels and sprays, so there are plenty of different options....
Word Count: 68 Does taking birth control pills increase your risk for heart disease?
Taking birth control pills is generally safe for young, healthy women. But birth control pills can...
Word Count: 114 Does washing fresh produce eliminate pesticide residues?
Washing fresh produce can reduce and often eliminate pesticide residues....
Word Count: 96 Don’t forget the lip balm
In addition to applying sunscreen, use a protective lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher. While lip cancer is fairly rare, rates increase as the popu...
Word Count: 56 Drug Interactions
Drug interactions may make the drug you are taking less effective, cause unexpected side effects, or increase the action of a particular drug. Some d...
Word Count: 99 Eating Out and Bringing Food Home -- The Doggie Bag
Meal portions are getting bigger and bigger these days. This means that there is a meal waiting for another day. Care must be taken when handli...
Word Count: 129 Empower yourself!
Violence against women is a leading cause of injury for American women between the ages of 15 and 54...
Word Count: 68 Even a little can make a big difference!
Even everyday, moderate-intensity activities (such as walking) can help lower your risk of heart disease and keep you healthy....
Word Count: 86 Every Day Activities Count
Spring cleaning is a great way to exercise. Physical activity is not limited to an aerobics class or running. Physical activity is any form of exerci...
Word Count: 57 Facts About Food Product Dating
With the exception of infant formula and some baby foods, product dating is not required by federal regulations. The following definitions should help...
Word Count: 150 Fiber for a Healthy Heart
Soluble fiber may help prevent heart disease by lowering LDL, or “bad” cholesterol levels. Experts recommend...
Word Count: 42 Focus On Fruit
The Dietary Guidelines recommend two cups of fruit per day at the 2,000-calorie reference diet. Fruit intake (as well as recommended amounts of other...
Word Count: 162 For The Record
Parents should always keep a record of their child’s immunizations. A vaccination record helps ensure that vaccines are given on schedule and that...
Word Count: 67 Got Soap?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious disease is hand washing. By si...
Word Count: 62 Grapefruit Juice and Medication Interaction
Research conducted by Mayo Clinic shows grapefruit juice may increase side effects of certain medications. These medications include some types of cho...
Word Count: 51 Handling Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Tips for handling fruits and vegetables safely:...
Word Count: 123 Hats On For Summer
Hats are an important part of your summer wardrobe. A hat can help shield your skin from the sun's UV rays. Choose a hat that provides shade for all...
Word Count: 99 Healthy After School Snacks
Unsalted pretzels
Applesauce...
Word Count: 50 Healthy Holiday Giving
This holiday season consider giving a gift of good health. Examples include a membership or pass to an exercise facility, first aid kit, low-calorie c...
Word Count: 35 Healthy Pets, Healthy People
While you're outside enjoying the weather, remember to protect your pets too. Keeping your pets healthy helps...
Word Count: 67 Help children be physically active
Children and adolescents need at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Parents can help by:
...
Word Count: 87 Help For Your Heart That Sounds Fishy
Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids lower the risk of heart disease and may reduce joint tenderness due to rheumatoid arthritis...
Word Count: 113 Help Yourself Feel Better While You Are Sick
A cold usually lasts only a couple of days to a week. Tiredness from the flu may continue for several weeks.
To feel better when you are sick:...
Word Count: 58 How can I avoid CO poisoning from my vehicle?
Have a mechanic check the exhaust system of your car every year. A small leak in your car's exhaust system can lead to a build up of...
Word Count: 91 How do you thaw frozen foods in the microwave safely?
Remove food from packaging before defrosting. Do not use foam trays and plastic wraps because they are not heat stable at high temperatures. Melting o...
Word Count: 72 How effective is the flu shot?
With the flu shot, when the "match" between vaccine and circulating strains is close, the vaccine prevents flu in about 70% to 90% of healthy persons...
Word Count: 111 How effective is the flu vaccine in children?
Because children less than 5 years of age are at increased risk of severe flu illnesses, children ages 6-59 months and the caregivers of children ages...
Word Count: 131 How Much Fiber Do You Need?
Including fiber in your diet is an important part of good digestive health and may reduce the risk of developing certain conditions, including heart d...
Word Count: 117 How Much Sleep is Enough?
Most adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night....
Word Count: 44 If you need to lose weight, do so gradually
If you are overweight, losing 5 to 15 percent of your body weight may improve your health and quality of life. Aim to lose about 10 percent of your we...
Word Count: 74 Important Information For People Who Take Aspirin To Prevent Heart Attack Or Stroke
Taking Ibuprofen (such as Advil®) for pain relief and aspirin at the same time may interfere with the benefits of aspirin taken for the heart. Accord...
Word Count: 104 Indoor tanning can be as harmful as outdoor tanning
There is no such thing as a "safe tan." Indoor tanning devices, such as tanning beds and sunlamps, emit ultraviolet (UV) rays that are similar to and...
Word Count: 89 Is A Slow Cooker Safe?
Yes, a slow cooker cooks foods slowly at a low temperature—generally between 170° and 280° F. The low heat...
Word Count: 60 Is any kind of alcohol safe to drink during pregnancy?
No. All drinks containing alcohol can hurt an unborn baby. A standard 12-ounce can of beer has the same amount of alcohol as a 4-ounce glass of wine o...
Word Count: 64 Is It Really FDA Approved?
"FDA approved": You may find these words on a company’s Web sites or in a commercial promoting a new product or...
Word Count: 62 Is it safe to eat sushi?
People in at-risk groups should not eat raw or undercooked fish or shellfish. People with liver disorders or weakened immune systems are at greater ri...
Word Count: 55 Is it safe to sample cookie dough before baking it?
Foods containing raw eggs, such as homemade ice cream, cookie batter, mayonnaise, and eggnog carry the risk of Salmonella. Commercial product...
Word Count: 86 Is secondhand smoke dangerous?
Secondhand smoke can cause cancer in non-smokers. It can also cause breathing problems, colds and flu, and heart disease. Children who breathe secondh...
Word Count: 99 Is Spit tobacco a harmless alternative to smoking?
Smokeless tobacco contains more nicotine than cigarettes. Holding one pinch of smokeless tobacco in your mouth for 30 minutes...
Word Count: 128 Is there anything I can do to stop snoring?
Snoring is caused by vibrating in the throat. Some people can make changes that will stop snoring. These include:...
Word Count: 37 Is your eggnog safe to drink?
Traditional eggnog made with raw eggs can cause salmonellosis (an infection with a bacteria called Salmonella)....
Word Count: 60 Is Your Hamburger Fully Cooked?
One out of 4 hamburgers turns brown in the middle before it has reached...
Word Count: 37 It’s not too late to get a flu shot
Flu vaccinations can be given before or during the flu season....
Word Count: 38 It’s time to check your smoke detectors
First, make sure your home has smoke detectors. You should test your smoke detectors once each month, and change your...
Word Count: 29 Keep in Touch
Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression....
Word Count: 51 Keeping your child's lunch safe
Soup and other hot foods that you pack in your child’s lunch need to stay hot. Use an insulated thermos stored in an insulated lunch box....
Word Count: 59 Keeping Your Cool
Your freezer should be kept at 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius) or less. This temperature won’t kill all bacteria but it will stop bac...
Word Count: 61 Mail order food gifts
When sending mail-order food gifts that include meat, poultry, fish and other perishables like cheese, fruit, and cheesecake, inform the recipient of...
Word Count: 54 Make it a family affair
Working out with your family, friends, or neighbors, or teaming up with a partner helps keep you both motivated. Make it a religious thing by starting...
Word Count: 57 Myths About Acne
There are many myths about what causes acne. Chocolate and greasy foods are often blamed, but there is little evidence...
Word Count: 73 No Water, No Problem
You can clean your hands when water is not available by using an alcohol-based disposable wipe or gel hand sanitizer. The alcohol in the gel and on t...
Word Count: 46 Not enough time to thaw your turkey in the refrigerator?
You can thaw a turkey safely in cold water. An eight pound bird will take about four hours to thaw in cold water, a 20 pound bird will take about...
Word Count: 65 Out in the cold
Remember your mom saying “Zip that coat or you’ll catch a cold!”?...
Word Count: 78 Phony Weight-Loss Devices and Gadgets
Phony weight-loss devices range from those that are simply ineffective to those that are truly dangerous to your health. At minimum, they are a waste...
Word Count: 144 Power Line Hazards and Cars
If a power line falls on a car, you should stay inside the vehicle. This is the safest place to stay. Warn people not to touch the car or the line. Ca...
Word Count: 157 Pregnant? Don’t Douche
Studies show that douching may boost a woman's chance of ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilized...
Word Count: 54 Preventing food-borne illness
Temperature is a critical factor in fighting food-borne illness. To be safe, food must be cooked to an internal temperature high enough to destro...
Word Count: 149 Preventing Head Lice
While schools are a prime location for the transmission of head lice, parents need to know that the...
Word Count: 76 Protect Your Friends and Family
Alcohol is a depressant, which impairs a driver's judgment, vision and reaction. This holiday season,...
Word Count: 35 Put Your Cell Phone on “ICE”
Who do you want contacted in case of an emergency? Adding “ICE” by their names on your cell phone will let rescue workers, police, or doctors know wh...
Word Count: 114 Reducing Salt And Sodium When Eating Out
Reduce the amount of salt and sodium you consume when eating out by following this advice:...
Word Count: 86 Reducing Salt In Your Holiday Ham
Country hams can be soaked 4 to 12 hours or longer in the refrigerator to...
Word Count: 39 Refrigerating Leftovers
Hot foods should be refrigerated within two hours after cooking. Food that has been standing out for more than two hours will...
Word Count: 31 Reheating Leftovers
When reheating leftovers, make sure that they are completely reheated, not just warmed. Heat kills bacteria, so it is important that you bring leftov...
Word Count: 56 Removing A Tick
Remove a tick from your skin as soon as you notice it. Use fine-tipped tweezers to firmly grasp the tick very close...
Word Count: 124 Safe School Lunches
When preparing your child’s lunch:
...
Word Count: 41 Safe shoveling
To avoid injury, keep the shovel as close to you as possible, lift with your legs instead of bending at the waist, avoid twisting to toss the shoveled...
Word Count: 60 Safe Sun
Replace your leftover sunscreen from last summer. Sunscreen can lose its...
Word Count: 31 Safely Defrosting Meat, Poultry, and Fish
Food safety experts recommend thawing foods in the refrigerator or the microwave oven. You may also put the food in a water-tight plastic bag submerg...
Word Count: 95 Sanitizing your kitchen sink drains and disposal
The kitchen sink drain, disposal, and connecting pipe should be sanitized periodically by pouring a solution of 1 teaspoon of chlorine bleach and 1 qu...
Word Count: 72 Sensible weight maintenance tips
To achieve long-term weight-loss, it is best to avoid “quick-fix” schemes and complex diet plans. Focus instead on making modest changes to your life'...
Word Count: 134 Should I avoid nuts if I'm trying to lose weight?
In small amounts, nuts can be part of a healthy weight-loss program. Nuts are high in calories and fat....
Word Count: 59 Should I avoid red meat to lose weight?
Eating lean meat in small amounts can be part of a healthy weight-loss plan. Red meat, pork, chicken, and fish contain some cholesterol and saturated...
Word Count: 101 Should you see a doctor before starting an exercise program?
If you're under age 35 and in good health, you don't need to see a doctor before beginning an exercise program....
Word Count: 113 Signs of an Allergy
People often confuse an allergy with a cold or flu. Colds are short-lived and passed from person to person, whereas allergies are immune system react...
Word Count: 96 Sippy cups and tooth decay
Don't allow children to use sippy cups throughout the day....
Word Count: 35 Smoking during pregnancy - It's not too late to quit
Smoking nearly doubles a woman's risk of having a low-birthweight baby. According to the March of Dimes, a pregnant woman who stops smoking by the end...
Word Count: 56 Sounds fishy
When buying fresh seafood, look to see that it has been properly refrigerated or iced. Don't buy cooked seafood, such as shrimp, crabs or smoked fish,...
Word Count: 70 Storing shelf-stable foods
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), shelf-stable food can be safe from a foodborne-illness forever. However, food quality (e.g., tas...
Word Count: 77 Sunless spray tanning
Some companies are now offering a sunless option that involves spraying the skin with the color additive dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA interacts with th...
Word Count: 135 Take Five
Stress can contribute to symptoms of illness. Taking time each day to relax can help you stay mentally and physically healthy....
Word Count: 84 Taking Medicine During A Hospital Stay
For people in the hospital, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices offers this advice:...
Word Count: 76 Tanning pills are not approved by the FDA
Some companies have marketed tanning pills that contain the color additive canthaxanthin. When large amounts of canthaxanthin are ingested, the substa...
Word Count: 106 Ten guidelines to improve your overall health
Ten guidelines to improve your overall health:...
Word Count: 61 The myth of the 'stomach flu'
Many people use the term "stomach flu" to describe illnesses with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. These symptoms can be caused by many different viruse...
Word Count: 73 Tips For Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain
[Hospital] offers the following advice to avoid gaining weight this holiday season...
Word Count: 93 Tips For Avoiding The Flu
[Hospital] recommends the following good health habits to help you avoid the flu:...
Word Count: 131 To prevent birth defects, take folic acid every day!
The B-vitamin folic acid prevents birth defects affecting your baby's brain and spinal cord. Folic acid is critical during the first few weeks of your...
Word Count: 71 Turning pink?
Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun's UV rays in as little as 15 minutes. Yet it can take up to 12 hours for skin...
Word Count: 58 Use Salad Dressings Sparingly
When you make or buy a salad, a little bit of salad dressing goes a long way. To save calories, toss one tablespoon of dressing with your salad....
Word Count: 77 Weight-bearing exercises can strengthen bones
Weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging, dancing, climbing stairs, and weightlifting, performed three to four times a week, can help make yo...
Word Count: 82 What is "organic produce?"
Organic produce is grown without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or...
Word Count: 70 What should you do if you are bitten or scratched by an animal?
Each year almost 800,000 persons bitten by dogs or cats require medical attention. You should never approach an unfamiliar animal. If you do get bitte...
Word Count: 57 What's a whole grain?
A whole grain still has its outer covering, which contains the grain's fiber and many of its...
Word Count: 38 What's the best type of physical activity for you?
The best type of physical activity is the one or two that you will do! Pick an enjoyable activity that will fit into your daily routine. Start with mo...
Word Count: 66 What’s the best way to cook to reduce fat?
There’s a host of low fat cooking methods. Try these:...
Word Count: 36 When is someone who has the flu contagious?
Flu symptoms start one to four days after the virus enters the body. A person can start spreading the flu one day before he or she feels sick. Adults...
Word Count: 79 When should you buy a new toothbrush?
You should get a new toothbrush with soft bristles every...
Word Count: 22 Where's the best place to store your medications?
Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist and/or read the medication's label to determine how your medicine should be stored. For example, some medicat...
Word Count: 65 Why is calcium important?
Calcium is essential for many functions in the body, including:...
Word Count: 111 Why Should You Care About High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure can lead to numerous other life-threatening conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure, the #1, #3, and...
Word Count: 142 Will drinking a lot of coffee raise my blood pressure?
Caffeine in coffee and other drinks, such as tea and sodas, only raises blood pressure temporarily....
Word Count: 47 Winter Survival Kit for Your Car
Equip your car with these items:...
Word Count: 115 Women: Get moving to reduce your risk of heart disease
Coronary heart disease is every woman's concern. One in ten American women 45 to 64 years of age has some form of heart disease,...
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