Anna Betancourt RD, Eat Healthy Now

10/01/2022

This series is very informative and has won awards.

Container gardening provides people with little or no space some soil in which to grow food. Joe takes us around the GGW garden and gives some great suggestions for container options.

02/27/2017

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-1/?loc=hottopics
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. Only 5% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease.

In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. The body breaks down the sugars and starches you eat into a simple sugar called glucose, which it uses for energy. Insulin is a hormone that the body needs to get glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body. With the help of insulin therapy and other treatments, even young children can learn to manage their condition and live long, healthy lives.

- See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-1/?loc=hottopics .oWB7yerv.dpuf

02/27/2017

Smart Pre-Exercise Snacks
Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter

02/27/2017

9 Tips for a Heart-Healthy Diet
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/heart-healthy-diet

A key to preventing or slowing heart disease is eating a heart-healthy diet full of lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. WebMD tells you more.

02/15/2013

Elderly may be charming.

02/15/2013

Health professionals sometimes discuss dementia in "stages," which refers to how far a person's dementia has progressed. Defining a person's disease stage helps physicians determine the best treatment approach and aids communication between health providers and caregivers. Sometimes the stage is simply referred to as "early stage", "middle stage" or "late-stage" dementia, but often a more exact stage is assigned, based on a person's symptoms.
One of the most commonly used staging scales is the Global Deterioration Scale for Assessment of Primary Degenerative Dementia (GDS), which divides the disease process into seven stages based on the amount of cognitive decline. The GDS is most relevant for people who have Alzheimer's disease, since some other types of dementia (i.e. frontotemporal dementia) do not always include memory loss.

http://www.dementiacarecentral.com/node/540

I have had personal experience dealing with Dementia and my 86y/o mom.
It came as a surprise to me that her mental state had declined, and I hadn't been informed. A reminder to all who have elderly parents. These are two excellent links to become familiar and informed.
Health professionals sometimes discuss dementia in "stages," which refers to how far a person's dementia has progressed. Defining a person's disease stage helps physicians determine the best treatment approach and aids communication between health providers and caregivers. Sometimes the stage is simply referred to as "early stage", "middle stage" or "late-stage" dementia, but often a more exact stage is assigned, based on a person's symptoms.
One of the most commonly used staging scales is the Global Deterioration Scale for Assessment of Primary Degenerative Dementia (GDS), which divides the disease process into seven stages based on the amount of cognitive decline. The GDS is most relevant for people who have Alzheimer's disease, since some other types of dementia (i.e. frontotemporal dementia) do not always include memory loss.
http://www.dementiacarecentral.com/node/540

12/30/2012

Alzheimer’s ; the Dreaded Disease

We normally think of diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, but lurking in the background is the risk of dementia that the elderly population is facing. We are living longer now, so the risks of dementia have increased. Alzheimer's is a form of dementia, it is diagnosed by neurological tests, and unfortunately, it isn't an easy diagnosis. It occurs in the elderly, but may be occurring in the 60's also.

There is an increase interest in research for the cure for Alzheimer's disease, however, as in any disease that affects a large population we also look for preventive measures we can take. Although, there are some genetic components to the disease, there are healthful lifestyle changes that can be made to avoid or delay the onset as we age.

Whatever age you are, or stage in your life, it is important to establish healthy habits, which include regular exercise, healthy diet, mental stimulation, quality sleep, stress management and an active social life. According to the Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation, physical exercise reduces your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 50 percent, as well as, delay the deterioration of cognitive function.

Incorporating foods with antioxidants, such as those red and orange colored fruits and vegetables prevent cell damage at all levels. This is the same eating plan for preventing heart disease, low saturated fats, whole grains and fruits and vegetables. Take time to have some mental stimulation such doing puzzles, going to a museum, learning a new language or just taking on a new project. We neglect to consider, the factor of getting enough sleep, when the body rests and recuperates. Studies have shown that lack of sleep dulls the mind and is also a factor in accidents.

It is this time of the year to make some good decisions about your current health and the way you want to establish good healthful habits.

12/11/2012

It’s the time of year for celebrating. We look forward to seeing friends, and relatives. There are parties, gatherings, get- togethers, cocktails, whatever you want to call it, and the inevitable food spread. There‘s always a ‘dip’ most likely made with sour cream and a vegetable tray. There is no avoiding food, at these festivities. The good and healthy, with the ugly, sweets and fats.

This isn’t the time to start a ‘diet’, remember the diet you started last year around New Year’s. Why not instead, consider a health change policy.
Think about your health as a long term goal, where will your health be in five years.

To achieve a goal there are steps you need to take. It doesn’t happen by itself.

Prior to starting on the process, you contemplate what it is that you need to do. Think in terms that you can measure reliably, like more energy, or less fatigue. The skin is a good barometer of health, as well as your hair. The results of blood testing such as a cholesterol reading.

Make a plan: what does your grocery list look like, if not make a grocery list, and have a vegetable option in there. There are many types of non starchy vegetables, which you cook in a variety of ways, to please any palate.

Take action: Have you heard ‘wishing won’t make it so’. Start slowly. Make it your own.

Choose smaller portions of whatever you wish to eat. Become mindful of what you eat, inhale aromas, feel textures, have a colorful plate.

There is an emotional as well as economic price to pay for poor health. Maintaining a healthy body is what we want in order to be there for our families.

11/17/2012

AADE Offers Diabetes-Friendly Holiday Eating Resource
AADE has created a simple guide for helping people with diabetes stay on track with healthy eating goals during a season that is loaded with food temptations. Check it out and consider sharing it with your patients

11/16/2012

MyFoodAdvisor
MyFoodAdvisor is an easy to use online nutrition tool for patients – intended to educate about the nutritional content of foods. MyFoodAdvisor provides food information to people with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and those looking to lose weight. This interactive tool compares foods by 22 different nutrients, suggests healthy alternatives, and analyzes what you currently eat. Portion sizes are standardized, based on the American Diabetes Association and American Dietetic Association exchange lists so all carbohydrate-containing foods are shown in servings of about 15 grams of carbohydrate