Flu season is upon us once again. The best way to stay healthy before catching a cold or the flu is to wash your hands (20 seconds with soap & rinse with warm water, dry with a clean disposable towel). Eating healthy, which means plenty of fruit and vegetables, is certainly another way to keep your immune system strong and help your body fight off infection. Just in case the flu or cold bug catches up with you, here are some tips to keep in mind while you are sniffling:

When you have a cold:

• Drink plenty of hot liquids: water, tea, fruit juice, fruit drinks, warm gelatin or broth-based soups. Hot liquids help thin mucous secretions and drain them faster. Chicken noodle soup is perfect for keeping you hydrated, fed, and warm enough for your body to fight the infection. Remember to hold your head over hot, steaming liquids while you drink.


• Flavored gelatin can be prepared with water or fruit juice and drank as a liquid rather than waiting for the gelatin to set.


• Your sense of taste may be off since your nasal passages are plugged. Don't be surprised if some of your favorite foods don't taste the same.


• Remember to get plenty of rest. If you are having problems getting to sleep, switch to decaffeinated tea, herbal tea or decaffeinated carbonated beverages.


• Wash all eating or drinking utensils in hot soapy water or in a dishwasher after each use. Use glasses and silverware only once, then wash to limit the spread of the virus. Don't forget to wash the bathroom drinking cup, too. Also, it may not be a bad idea to buy a new toothbrush once you've gotten over your illness.

When you have the flu (fever, vomiting, diarrhea):

• If you are vomiting, don't eat or drink for up to 1 hour after the latest instance. Then try 2 ounces of water or flat lemon-lime carbonated beverages. If that stays down, then repeat one of these beverages every 15-30 minutes.


• When vomiting has stopped for a few hours, start drinking more liquids to replace the loss of body fluids. Warm or cold Gatorade, water, tea, fruit juice, fruit drinks, carbonated beverages, broth-based soups and prepared gelatin.


• Gradually add other foods as tolerated. Buttered or plain toast without liquids at the same meal or any food that does not cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or allergic reaction is allowed.


• If you have a fever and no vomiting, drink plenty of cold or iced liquids.


• If you have a fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit and/or diarrhea, contact your doctor.


• To help control diarrhea symptoms, try banana, apple juice, applesauce, tea, rice or rice cereal without milk. These foods should help reduce your symptoms because banana and apple have pectin, a soluble fiber that helps gel watery stool.

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This information was provided by Ask the Dietitian

Haunting Halloween Calories

Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet, Give Me Something Good to Eat! Obviously we don’t condone stuffing your face with anything that doesn’t supplement your healthy body, but we understand how difficult it is to pass up treats during the holidays. Let this be your guide to choosing the best of the worst “foods” on this planet. Happy Halloween!

Eat this: Twizzlers Cherry Nibs (22 pieces) 110 cal, 0g fat, 18g sugar
Not that: Candy Corn (22 pieces) 140 cal, 0g fat, 28g sugar
- Although a Halloween classic, candy corn is made mostly of sugar, corn syrup, salt and honey

Eat this: PayDay (fun size) 90 cal, 0.5g sat fat, 10g sugar
Not that: Almond Joy (fun size) 100 cal, 3.5g sat fat, 10g sugar
- PayDay has the lowest level of saturated fat in the candy bar aisle

Eat this: Whoppers (6 pieces) 60 cal, 2g sat fat, 8g sugar
Not that: Tootsie Roll (6 midgees) 140 cal, 0.5g sat fat, 20g sugar
- Choose the crunchy chocolate flavor of Whoppers with less sugar than Tootsie Rolls

Eat this: Skittles (fun size) 80 cal, 1g sat fat, 15g sugar
Not that: Starburst fruit chews (fun size) 170 cal, 3.5g sat fat, 24g sugar
- Skittles aren’t perfect, but they have a fraction of the sugar and fat found in Starburst

Eat this: 3 Musketeers bar (fun size) 60 cal, 2g sat fat, 8g sugar
Not that: Brach’s Milk Maid Caramels (4 pieces) 160 cal, 3.5g sat fat, 16g sugar
- The gooey consistency of Brach's caramels is achieved with partially hydrogenated oils (THOSE ARE BAD)

Eat this: Red Hots (40 pieces) 120 cal, 0g fat, 26g sugar
Not that: Hot Tamales (20 pieces) 150 cal, 0g fat, 23g sugar
- It takes 6 different artificial colors to make the perfect Hot Tamale shade of red

Eat this: Jujubes (52 pieces) 110 cal, 0g fat, 18g sugar
Not that: Airheads (2 bars) 120 cal, 1g sat fat, 17g sugar
- At just over 2 calories apiece, you can afford to indulge in Jujubes

Eat this: Nestle Raisinets (1/4 cup) 190 cal, 5g sat fat, 27g sugar
Not that: M&M’s Peanut (1/4 cup) 220 cal, 4.5g sat fat, 22g sugar
- Unlike Raisinets, M&M’s can’t claim that any of its sugar is natural

Eat this: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (2) 230 cal, 4.5g sat fat, 20g sugar
Not that: Twix Peanut Butter (2) 280 cal, 8g sat fat, 19g sugar
- Twix Peanut Butter is one of the fattiest, oil-saturated candy bars on the market

*In no way are we saying these candies are healthy! Ultimately, the best alternative to candy is fruit, with natural sugar and vitamins :)

Information provided by David Zinczenko’s Eat This, Not That!

Oh, the joys of Fall: leaves changing color, wearing jackets every day, and perfect football weather. Pretty soon it will be time for you to have an excuse to drink hot chocolate every night! Comfort foods, especially around Thanksgiving, are only an arm’s length away. Beware before you pick up that warm apple pie or big bowl of chili. Researchers at WebMD are telling us to stay away from these top fattening fall foods, but they left us with delicious alternatives.

1. Pot Pie
Store bought and homemade pot pie can have more than 1,000 calories in one pie. Not to mention a ton of salt. Instead try a roast chicken breast and a warm whole-wheat roll.
2. Tailgate foods
You’ve got to have a burger, a brat, queso dip and some spiked cider; how else will you stay warm during the game? Eat from a plate instead of grazing the entire menu. Also, if you’re throwing the tailgate bash, serve veggies and low-fat dip as part of your buffet.
3. Oktoberfest = Calorie fest
Bratwurst has about 95 calories per ounce. To put that in perspective, one ounce is of meat the size of 1 tablespoon of peanut butter. When it comes down to it eat smaller portions, choose light beer over regular, and limit yourself on how many “Das Boot” challenges you do.
4. Chubby Chili
The most important thing to remember is that chili can be an incredibly healthy meal... when prepared correctly. Instead of beef or sausage stews smothered with cheese, try chili’s with plenty of beans, veggies, spices, lean meat and a sprinkle of cheese.
5. Cream soups and Hearty Stews
Baked potato soup from Panera has 22g of fat and 1210mg of sodium. If you’ve been paying attention, that’s not exactly an ideal meal. Most restaurant soups and stew are loaded with cream, cheese and/or meat. If you choose a bread bowl or add noodles, you add extra calories. Choose broth-based and vegetable-based soups to fill you up for fewer calories.
6. Seasonal Beverages
If you wait every fall for Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte, maybe you should reconsider. From lattes to hot chocolate to eggnog, seasonal drinks can carry up to 350 calories. Try hot green tea, which is calorie free and full of antioxidants.
7. Carmel Apples
Creations like these make nutritionists all over the world just cringe. A beautifully healthy apple turns into a body wrecking machine. Instead of the thick layer of caramel and nuts, try apple slices with a small portion of low-fat caramel dip.
8. Trick-or-Treat?
Unfortunately Halloween candy comes out way before the big day and extends its stay past the 31st. Stash sweets out of sight until Halloween night when the kids come by. When your sweet tooth comes creeping along, try fruit or sugarless gum.
9. Mac & Cheese
Kraft has nothing on your Aunt’s homemade macaroni and cheese. When the casserole dish comes your way, remember small portions. If you make it yourself, modify the recipe using low-fat cheese and milk, and even throw some veggies in!
10. Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Whether the gravy comes from a package or straight from the turkey drippings, it’s not all gravy with gravy. Try mashed potatoes without gravy.
11. Candied Yams
Sweet potato casserole with cream, butter and marshmallows can reach 500 calories per serving. Try oven-roasted or grilled sweet potatoes to get your healthy dose of vitamins A & C without the extra fat.
12. Stuffing
A must-have on the Thanksgiving table is turkey with stuffing, so don’t skip it. If it’s grandma’s recipe, keep the portion small, chew it slowly and enjoy each mouthful, and resist smothering it in gravy. If it’s your turn to make the stuffing this year try using fruits, vegetables, and low-fat stock.
13. Pies
The idea begins right, using fresh fruits or nuts, but buttery crusts and ice cream on the side adds too many calories. Minimize calories by skipping the crust, using light whipped topping, and keep the portions small.

Article was provided by WebMD Healthy Eating & Diet

To view the entire slideshow, click here

Did your mother ever tell you warm milk could help you fall sleep at night? It turns out, she was right. There are quite a few foods that can help you fall asleep faster, but there are others that can keep you up all night. So the next time you fall asleep in class or at work, consider these tips to make your next sleep a great one.

What foods will help me sleep?
Everyone says you fall asleep after Thanksgiving dinner because of the tryptophan in turkey. Though the amount of tryptophan in a turkey drumstick won’t make you pass out, eating a serving or two of poultry, dairy, bananas, oats or honey will help you drift off if you’re having troubles.
Carbs are not the enemy! Carbohydrate-rich food combinations such as cereal and milk, yogurt and crackers, or bread and cheese will help increase the level of sleep-inducing tryptophan in your blood.

When should I eat my night time snack?
If you struggle with insomnia, a little food in your stomach may help you sleep. Before you start shoving that foot-long sandwich down your throat, remember to keep your snacks small. A heavy meal means a lot of work for your digestive system, making you uncomfortable and unable to sleep.

What foods should I avoid before bed?
High-fat foods! These foods should only be a minimal part of your diet anyhow. Research shows that people who eat high-fat foods versus low-fat foods experience more disruption in their sleep cycles. Also, spicy foods can cause heartburn or an upset stomach, so enjoy your jalapenos at least four hours before bedtime.

As an athlete, you constantly need protein to help your muscles repair, but most protein-rich foods are harder to digest than carbohydrates (which is why you feel fuller longer). You can enjoy protein anytime, but your bedtime snack should contain low to no protein. Stick to easily digested carbohydrates like milk and crackers.

Coffee contains caffeine which is a stimulant, and obviously something you should not have before bed. What about that hot chocolate mix you were going to add to your warm milk? Chocolate, colas and tea are less known foods that contain caffeine. In addition, certain medications such as pain relievers, diuretics and cold medicines also may contain caffeine, so check the label before consuming. For better sleep, cut all caffeine from your diet by noon each day.

Do you choose a glass of wine to help your eyes get droopy? Alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, but you may not be able to sleep through the night. Booze can lead to frequent awakenings, less restful sleep, headaches, night sweats and nightmares. If you decide to have that adult beverage before bed, balance it with a glass of water to dilute the alcohol’s effects. And though it’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day, but don’t chug a glass of water right before bed. Slow down to sips before bed so you won’t have to make a midnight trip to the bathroom.


View the slideshow and get more information

Article from WebMD's Sleep Disorders Health Center

Chill Out Anytime

School. Practice. Work. Studying. TAILGATING. The school year is full of exciting, yet very stressful events, generally one right after another. Jenny Stamos Kovacs with WebMD did the research to find quick and easy ways to make your day a little better. The following tips are for you to use anytime, anywhere. So relax and enjoy some me-time.

1. Meditate
Any repetitive action can be a source of meditation. This includes walking, swimming, painting, knitting -- any activity that helps keep your attention calmly in the present moment. When you catch yourself thinking about your job, your relationship or your lifelong to-do list, experts say to simply let the thought escape, and bring your mind back the repetition of the activity. Try it for just 5 to 10 minutes a day and watch stress levels drop.

2. Picture Yourself Relaxed
Is your mind too talkative to meditate? Try creating a peaceful visualization, or "dreamscape." To start, simply visualize anything that keeps your thoughts away from current tensions. It could be a favorite vacation spot, a fantasy island, that penthouse in New York City -- or something "touchable," like the feel of your favorite silk robe or cozy sweater. The more realistic your daydream -- in terms of colors, sights, sounds; even touch and feel -- the more relaxation you'll experience.

3. Breathe Deeply
Feeling stressed evokes tense, shallow breathing, while calm is associated with relaxed breathing. So turn tension into relaxation by changing the way you breathe. Try this: Let out a big sigh, dropping your chest, and exhaling through gently pursed lips. Now imagine your low belly, or center, as a deep, powerful place. Feel your breath coming and going as your mind stays focused there. Inhale, feeling your entire belly, sides and lower back expand. Exhale, sighing again as you drop your chest, and feeling your belly, back and sides contract. Repeat 10 times, relaxing more fully each time.

4. Look Around You
Mindfulness means focusing on one activity at a time. Practice it by focusing on your immediate surroundings. If you're outdoors, enjoy the shape and colors of flowers, hear a bird's call or consider a tree. In the mall, look at the details of a dress in the window, examine a piece of jewelry and focus on how it's made, or window-shop for furniture, checking out every detail of pattern and style.

5. Drink Hot Tea
If you're a coffee-guzzler, consider going green. Coffee raises levels of the notorious stress hormone, cortisol, while green tea offers health and beauty. Chamomile tea is a traditional favorite for calming the mind and reducing stress. Black tea may be a stress-fighter, too.

6. Show Some Love
Induce the relaxation response by cuddling your pet, giving an unexpected hug to a friend or family member, snuggling with your spouse, or talking to a friend about the good things in your lives. Experts say social interaction helps your brain think better, encouraging you to see new solutions to situations that once seemed impossible. Studies have also shown that physical contact -- like petting your dog or cat -- may actually help lower blood pressure and decrease stress hormones.

7. Try Self-Massage
When your muscles are tense and you've no time to visit a pro, try this simple self-massage technique:
• Place both hands on your shoulders and neck.
• Squeeze with your fingers and palms.
• Rub vigorously, keeping shoulders relaxed.
• Wrap one hand around the other forearm.
• Squeeze the muscles with thumb and fingers.
• Move up and down from your elbow to fingertips and back again.
• Repeat with other arm.

8. Take a Time-Out
Adults need time-outs, too. So when you sense your temper is about to erupt find a quiet place to sit or lie down and put the stressful situation on hold. Take a few deep breaths and concentrate on releasing tension and calming your heartbeat. Quiet your mind and remember: Time is always on your side, so relax. The stress can wait.

9. Try a Musical Detour
Music can calm the heartbeat and soothe the soul. So, when the going gets rough, take a musical stress detour by aligning your heartbeat with the slow tempo of a relaxing song. And you might want to make that a classical tune. Research shows that listening to 30 minutes of classical music may produce calming effects equivalent to taking 10 mg of Valium.

10. Take an Attitude Break
Thirty seconds is enough time to shift your heart's rhythm from stressed to relaxed. The way to do that: Engage your heart and your mind in positive thinking. Start by envisioning anything that triggers a positive feeling -- a vision of your pet, that great piece of jewelry you're saving up to buy, a memento from a vacation -- whatever it is, conjuring up the thought will help slow breathing, relax tense muscles and put a smile on your face.

To read the full article, go to: http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/features/blissing-out-10-relaxation-techniques-reduce-stress-spot?ecd=wnl_day_091310

Also, this link offers good examples of ways to beat stress using FOOD: http://www.webmd.com/diet/slideshow-diet-for-stress-management

How to Choose Fruits & Veggies

Summertime means the switch from warming soups to cooling fruit salads. But how do you know when fruit is ripe and ready to use? Cutting open a rotten piece of fruit or one that hasn’t had time to ripen can be very disappointing. To prevent this from happening, just use your five senses:

See: Fruit should be full in color, with little green. For example, strawberries should be bright red and only the stem should be green. Also, fruits with smooth skins like apples or pears, the skin should have a waxy, shiny appearance. Buyer beware: many types of berries are commonly stored in plastic containers; examine the bottom for mold (it can spread very quickly).

Touch: Fruits should be firm, not too soft and not too hard. Fruits and vegetables like peaches and avocados will yield to gentle pressure when ready to be eaten. Also, some larger fruits like honeydew and cantaloupe will have a spot where the stem grew; this area should give slightly to pressure.

Smell: Most fruits will generally smell the way they should taste, but this can be difficult without cutting it open.

Listen: When you gently slap a big fruit like a watermelon you should hear a hollow thump, like the way a drum vibrates.

Taste: Finally, the good part. Fruits should be sweet and juicy, so sit back and enjoy!

A few tips to keep in mind while choosing fruits/vegetables:
- Choose fruits and veggies that are in season. If you aren’t sure which ones are, ask the produce manager. In season foods are often cheaper and will taste better
- Try the Farmer’s Market for the freshest foods. Many fruits are picked before they are ripe so they can last until they get to the grocery store, which can make them lose taste. Make a trip to the Farmer’s Market to experience foods with amazing flavor and maybe you’ll decide to start your own garden!
- If you choose fruit or veggies that aren’t ripe yet, you can leave most out at room temperature to help them ripen. Once ripe they can be stored in the refrigerator.

Summer Beverages - Helpful or Harmful?

We're halfway through July and as the weather gets hotter, cold drinks sound better and better! Whether it's a slush from Sonic or an ice cold coke, you need to understand where those extra calories fit into your nutrition plan.

If your overall goal is to gain weight, especially if you have a hard time with it, those extra calories are important to help you reach your calorie goal. Just be aware that most of those calories come from sugar which DOES NOT help you build muscle.

If your overall goal is to lose fat, these drinks can quickly sabotage your efforts. These calories add up quickly and while they are refreshing, there are better options. For those trying to lose fat, it is best to create your own frozen drinks using sugar-free options such as Crystal Lite or even sugar-free Kool-Aid.

Below are ten popular summer drinks and their calorie and sugar comparisons.
Popular Summer Beverages (12 fl. Oz)


1. Beer-Bud Light 110 calories 6.6g Carbs 0.9g Protein 0g Fat
• Alcohol destroys B vitamins
• Dehydrating
• Very high source of empty calories

2. Milk-2% 184 calories 17g Carbs 12g Protein 7.2g Fat
• High in calories & fat – good option for athletes trying to gain weight
• Excellent source of calcium
• Good nutritional balance creates perfect recovery drink formula

3. Lemonade 154 calories 40g Carbs 0g Protein 0g Fat
• All the carbohydrates are from sugar – very high content!!
• High in vitamin C but very low in all other vitamins and minerals

4. Gatorade 75 calories 21g Carbs 0g Protein 0g Fat
• High in potassium and sodium for electrolyte replacement during workouts
• Little nutritional value, high in sugar
• Best during and after workouts lasting more than 60mins

5. Coke 140 calories 40g Carbs 0g Protein 0g Fat
• High in fluoride and phosphorus
• NO vitamins or minerals, high in sugar
• Carbonation negatively affects athletic performance

6. Diet Coke 0 calories 0 Carbs 0g Protein 0g Fat
• NO vitamins or minerals, no nutritional value
• High phosphorus content can lower your level of calcium leading to weak bones

7. Orange Juice 164 calories 26g Carbs 2g Protein 0g Fat
• Contains many important vitamins and minerals
• Very high in vitamin C and Potassium
• The vitamin C acts as an antioxidant to keep your body healthy

8. Coffee 0 calories 0g Carbs 0g Protein 0g Fat
• No calories
• Good antioxidant for healthy immune system
• Too much considered performance enhancer, could lead to a positive drug test
• Caffeine decreases muscle pain

9. Sweet Tea 130 calories 31g Carbs 0g Protein 0g Fat
• Very low in vitamins and minerals
• High in sugar
• Antioxidant-good for immune system.

10. Sonic Lemon Berry Slush 148 calories 48g Carbs 0g Protein 0g Fat
• Contains fresh fruit
• Very high in sugar
• No real nutritional value

There are many other drinks out there that are not included on this list so again, be aware of empty calories and how these drinks fit into your nutrition plan. Keep in mind that alcohol adds more calories and is the number one sabotager of all good nutrition intentions/goals/plans!

Be smart!