Review previous Healthy Tips in 2007
Drink Plenty of Water
American Heart Association's Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations
Turning off the TV means healthier families
Positive Thoughts...
Curbing unhealthy choices at the drive-through...
Personal Health Manager helps with New Years Resolutions
We're not watering this down.
Getting enough of your daily H2O is important for your health. After all, water is your body's main component and makes up on average about 60 percent of your weight.
How much do you need? The Institute of Medicine advises that men consume roughly 13 cups of total beverages a day, and women need about nine cups a day. It's okay to consume other healthy beverages and foods that contain water to help you get your daily requirement.
So, go ahead and drink up. You'll find that water is the clear choice for keeping you hydrated and healthy.
Log in to Blue Access for Members today and use the Personal Health Manager to learn about other tips to live a more healthy lifestyle.
Source: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
American Heart Association's Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations
A healthy diet and lifestyle are the best weapons you have to fight cardiovascular disease. It’s not as hard as you may think! Remember, it is the overall pattern of the choices you make that counts.
Make the simple steps below part of your life for long-term benefits to your health and your heart.
- Use up at least as many calories as you take in.
- Eat a variety of nutritious foods from all the food groups.
As you make daily food choices, base your eating pattern on these recommendations:
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Choose lean meats and poultry without skin and prepare them without added saturated and trans fat.
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Select fat-free, 1 percent fat, and low-fat dairy products.
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Cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat in your diet.
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Cut back on foods high in dietary cholesterol. Aim to eat less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol each day.
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Cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars.
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Choose and prepare foods with little or no salt. Aim to eat less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day.
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If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. That means one drink per day if you’re a woman and two drinks per day if you’re a man.
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Follow the American Heart Association recommendations when you eat out, and keep an eye on your portion sizes.
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Also, don’t smoke tobacco — and stay away from tobacco smoke. more
Learn more about the American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations. . .
-Source American Heart Association
Turning off the TV means healthier families
Take a turn for the better
Most kids get four to six hours of TV, computer or video games a day, a far cry from the one to two hours that experts recommend. Follow these limit-setting strategies to help your kid- and you- get the remote under control:
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Think of alternative activities, such as shooting some hoops, going on a walk or exploring a nearby park
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Be active with your kids - they'll love spending the time with you
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Remove televisions from bedrooms
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Plan which shows to watch, and don't just watch whatever comes on next
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Avoid using TV as a reward or punishment
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Set a good example by limiting your tube time
One good turn deserves another. Turn off the TV, get more active and help your family enjoy the health it deserves.
-Source American Heart Association
The average person has about 60,000 thoughts a day...How many of yours are positive?
Studies show that personality traits- optimism and pessimism- can affect how well you live and even how long you live. Researchers continue to explore the effects of optimism on health. Those who look at the "glass as half full" may experience:
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Decreased stress
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Greater resistance to catching the common cold
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Reduced risk of coronary artery disease
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A sense of well-being and improved health
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Living longer
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Better coping skills
Take steps today to reverse negative thoughts and accentuate the positive for improved quality of life.
Sources: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center &Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
(Top of Page)Curbing unhealthy choices at the drive-through...
Whether scrambling to grab breakfast on the way to work or picking up dinner before baseball practice or piano lessons, Americans are spending more and more time eating meals on the go. Hear's how to make fast food menu choices that are quick and healthy:
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Keep portion sizes small, such as choosing a regular or children's-size hamburger rather than burgers with two or three patties
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Substitute fries or onion rings with health side dishes like a salad or fruit bowl
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Opt for grilled items and avoid fried or breaded foods that are high in fat and calories
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Ask for healthier, low-fat options for condiments that come with entrees
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Save calories by ordering water, diet soda, unsweetened ice tea, sparkling water or mineral water
If life has you eating on the run, take a little time to slow down and make smart, healthy choices when you're in the fast food lane.
To learn other ways you can make small changes that have a large impact on your health, log in to Blue Access for Members and the Personal Health Manager today!
Source: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
The Personal Health Manager can help you with your New Year Resolution
The new year is upon us, why not start fresh with a new, healthier lifestyle? The Personal Health Manager can help with a customized exercise and diet plan, as well as tips from health care professionals. Also, take the first step to living a healthier life style and complete the Health Risk Assessment.
Log in to Blue Access for Members and use the Personal Health Manager today!
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