The Andrew County Health Department would like to encourage you to eat healthy by offering these 5 tips to kick bad eating habits to the curb.
The key to a good breakfast is balance. Include lean protein, whole grains and fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables. For example, oatmeal cooked with low-fat milk and sliced almonds and berries or crust-less quiche with mixed veggies, low-fat cheese and a slice of whole-wheat toast.
Too much caffeine can interfere with sleep, can make you jittery and can cause you to lose energy later in the day. Skip unwanted calories and sugar by drinking it as plain as possible.
Preparing the week's lunches over the weekend - bake chicken, chop veggies, steam rice. Make sure your options include a combination of lean protein and carbohydrates.
Fruits and veggies add color, flavor and texture, plus vitamins, minerals and fibers to your plate. Don't let winter stop you from enjoying produce either. It might be harder to find fresh options, but frozen and canned are great alternatives.
Making meals at home doesn't have to zap the last bit of your time and energy. The trick is to plan ahead. Use shortcuts such as pre-cut or frozen veggies and keep staples on hand such as low-sodium broth, herbs and lemons for flavoring. A quick and easy idea is to turn leftover beef into stew with beans, no-salt-added diced tomatoes and pre-cut veggies.
6 - For your baby
Breastfeeding is the best way to meet your baby’s nutritional needs during his/her first year of life. Breast milk contains everything the baby needs for the first six months of life, in all the right proportions. Breast milk has the perfect combination of proteins, fats, vitamins, and carbohydrates. Its composition even changes according to the baby's changing needs, especially during the first month of life. There is nothing better for the health of your baby.
The current outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was first identified in China but has now spread internationally, impacting an increasing number of countries. Sustained community spread is occurring in China. Limited person-to-person spread, most associated with close contact with a patient with confirmed 2019-nCoV, has been seen outside of China. No community spread of 2019-nCoV has been identified in the United States at this time.
In the coming days and weeks, we expect more confirmed cases in the United States, including some person-to-person spread. The goal of CDC’s aggressive ongoing public health response is to prevent spread of 2019-nCoV in in the United States.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) activated a statewide public hotline for citizens or providers needing guidance regarding the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. At 8 a.m. today, the hotline opened and can be reached at 877-435-8411. The hotline is being operated by medical professionals and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
All persons in the U.S.— including those of Asian descent—who have not traveled to China or been in contact with someone with a confirmed or suspected nCoV case in the last 14 days are at low risk of becoming sick.
For more information go to: www.cdc.gov/nCov
Get A Free Smoke Alarm
Get a free smoke alarm from the Red Cross go to https://getasmokealarm.org/ or call 816-385-5955.
Heart disease and stroke are the first and fourth leading causes of death in the United States. Heart disease is responsible for 1 of every 4 deaths in the country. The good news is that heart disease and stroke can be prevented, and February - American Heart Month - is a great time to refresh your memory on the small but important actions you can take.
Talk to your health care provider and team to see if taking an aspirin each day is right for you.
High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of heart disease and stroke. One in three American adults has high blood pressure - that's about 70 million people. Unfortunately, less than half of people with high blood pressure have their condition under control. Work with your health care team to find out if you have high blood pressure. If you do, take steps to reduce it:
High cholesterol affects 1 in 3 American adults. Getting a simple blood test is the only way you can know if you have high cholesterol. Your doctor can suggest steps you can take to prevent high cholesterol or to reduce your levels if they are high.
Cigarette smoking greatly increases your risk of heart disease. If you're a smoker, quit as soon as possible, and if you don't smoke, don't start. Get help from 1-800-QUIT-NOW or SmokeFree.gov.
Breastfeeding is also good for the heart! For moms, breastfeeding may help lower their risk of heart attack and stroke even a decade after giving birth. For babies, breastfeeding regulates their cardiovascular system, provides more oxygen to their heart and brains and provides essential nutrients their bodies use to grow and repair organs.
Learn more about Million Hearts and ways to protect your heart during February and throughout the year at MillionHearts.hss.gov