Planning ahead is the key to staying healthy and safe when you go hiking or camping, experts say. “‘Be prepared’ is the Boy Scout motto, and it is one of the best ways to avoid pitfalls and make the most of any hiking or camping trip,” said Dr. Jonathan Adams, a family medicine physician with… read on >
All Food:
American Heart Association Turns Dietary Advice on Its Head
Eating a wide variety of foods might not be good for you after all, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA). “Eating a more diverse diet might be associated with eating a greater variety of both healthy and unhealthy foods. Combined, such an eating pattern may lead to increased food… read on >
Improve Diet Quality to Boost Weight Loss
Eating fewer calories is essential when you want to lose weight, but there’s growing evidence that the quality of those calories matters, too. Eating high-quality foods not only boosts weight loss, but also reduces your risk for chronic diseases. High-quality foods are fresh or minimally processed. Think vegetables and fruits, whole grains, plant-based fats and… read on >
For Pennies a Drink, Higher Taxes Would Help Counter Alcohol’s Toll: Study
As a tool to reduce the public health toll of drinking, higher taxes on alcohol get the most bang for the buck, a new study finds. Worldwide, more than 4 percent of diseases and 5 percent of deaths are directly linked with alcohol, previous research suggests. In this study, researchers looked at data from 16… read on >
Picture This — It Makes Kids Eat More Veggies
Parents often struggle to get their kids to eat more vegetables. But could something as simple as a picture of broccoli on a plate get children to load up on the healthy stuff? Probably, at least for preschoolers, a new study reports. When the kids were served lunch on a plate divided into four sections… read on >
5 Special Splurges That Don’t Break the Calorie Bank
You can splurge from time to time and still lose weight when you choose foods that are lavish but also low-calorie. The meat in a steamed one-pound lobster has fewer than 100 calories. If you don’t want to fuss, order a broiled lobster tail. King crab legs are another succulent favorite that can sub for… read on >
Which Drugs Work Best for ADHD? Large Study Zeroes in on Two
Researchers have identified what they describe as the safest, most effective short-term drug treatments for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s methylphenidate for kids and amphetamines for adults, according to a new study. Those conclusions are drawn from an analysis of more than 133 clinical trials that included more than 14,000 children and teens, as well… read on >
School Prep Includes Planning Allergy, Asthma Management
Allergies and asthma can make the start of the new school year a challenge for kids who aren’t prepared to deal with flare-ups, an allergist warns. “Every age group is different in how much they can handle when it comes to protecting themselves from flare-ups due to allergies and asthma while at school, as well… read on >
Health Tip: Suggestions for Cleaning Fruit and Veggies
Some 48 million people in the United States get sick each year from contaminated food, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. And animal products aren’t the only culprit. Produce — such as spinach, lettuce, tomatoes and cantaloupe — also may be a source of foodborne illness, the agency warns. The FDA suggests how to… read on >
Too Much Screen Time May Pile on the Pounds
Kids are spending more time than ever in front of screens, making it more likely they’ll become overweight or obese, a new review claims. The average 8- to 18-year-old spends more than seven hours a day fixated on a screen, whether it’s a computer, smartphone, tablet, video game or TV, the latest evidence shows. Teenagers… read on >