Thursday, November 20, 2008

Health Tips for November 20

Health Tip: Taming a Sweet Tooth

Dieting doesn't mean that you have to completely give up desserts. It just means that you should opt for healthier alternatives.

The American Diabetes Association offers these dessert options when you're dieting or trying to watch your sugar and fat intake:

  • Try fresh or dried fruits to soothe your sweet tooth.
  • Have only a small portion of one of your favorite desserts.
  • When ordering at a restaurant, choose a dessert to share with the people accompanying you.
  • When baking, reduce the amount of fat and sugar you use in your recipes.
  • Choose low-fat and low-sugar alternatives to your favorite desserts.
Health Tip: Choose Meats Wisely

Love to eat meat? As with any food group, there are good choices and bad.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers these suggestions on which meats to choose, and how:

  • Select for low-fat meats and chicken, and avoid eating high-fat ground beef or chicken with the skin.
  • Don't forget to count the fat and calories in cooking additives. For example, if you cook chicken in shortening, add the extra calories to your count.
  • Include fish in your diet, especially those high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, trout and herring.
  • Avoid organ meats such as liver, which are high in cholesterol.
  • Also avoid processed meats such as hot dogs, ham, sausage and lunch meats, which can be very high in sodium and other additives.

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