Monday, December 17, 2007

Health Tips for December 17

Health Tip: Preventing Illness at Day Care

Day care centers harbor germs that can be difficult to contain.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests these ways to reduce the spread of illness at day care centers:

* Teach your child, if old enough, to wash his hands after using the bathroom.
* Keep your child home if he is sick.
* Breastfeeding your baby can help strengthen her immune system, which could lower her chances of getting sick.
* The day care center should have strict policies and employee training on ways to reduce germs.
* Diaper changing or disposal should never occur near food preparation.
* All employees and children should be required to have regular immunizations.

Health Tip: Spare the Needless Calories

Proteins are an important part of a healthy diet, and can help fill you up without consuming excess calories.

Here are some suggestions from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on how choose and prepare meats:

* Buy meats labeled "extra lean."
* Buy skinless chicken, or pull the skin off before you cook it.
* Choose low-fat lunch meats for sandwiches.
* Trim off fat from any meat before you cook it.
* Bake, broil or grill meats instead of frying them.
* Don't add breading or any other fattening seasonings.

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