Blog – Page 5 of 64 – Eat Smart, Move More, Prevent Diabetes

The Truth About Hydration

November 21, 2023November 13, 2023 by Annalise Hafner

Water is important for our overall health and plays a huge role in our bodies normal function. Water helps regulate your body temperature, eliminate waste, cushion joints, and protect tissue, like your spinal cord.¹ There are many misconceptions about hydration, and there is no set recommendation for the amount of water we should drink everyday. In general, we get about 20% of our daily water through the foods we eat and the remainder from the actual water we drink.¹ Let’s discuss a few common hydration myths.

Myth: I need to drink 8 glasses of water everyday.

Truth: Daily water needs vary based on age, activity level, body size, and temperature, among other factors. Among generally healthy adults, women need about 11.5 cups and men need about 15.5 cups of water daily. This is about 9 cups liquid plus 2.5 cups from food and 13 cups liquid plus 2.5 cups from food for women and men respectively.¹

Myth: If I’m dehydrated my urine will be a dark-color.

Truth: The “color check” is fairly arbitrary and may not accurately reflect your hydration status. However, if you are not always the most attentive to your thirst cues, it can be a helpful tool.

Myth: If I’m dehydrated my urine will be a dark-color.

Truth: The “color check” is fairly arbitrary and may not accurately reflect your hydration status. However, if you are not always the most attentive to your thirst cues, it can be a helpful tool.

Myth: Drinking more water will help me lose weight.

Truth: There is not enough evidence to support the claim that drinking more water directly impacts weight loss.² However, there is evidence to suggest that drinking water in place of high-sugar beverages, like soda, does aid in weight loss.³

The bottom line – drink water consistently throughout the day, and increase your intake if you are exercising. If you are thirsty, drink some water! Prioritize an eating pattern with fruits and vegetables, many of which are great sources of water.

Gordon G & Klemm S. How Much Water Do You Need? Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. https://www.eatright.org/health/essential-nutrients/water/how-much-water-do-you-need. Published June 23, 2022. Accessed March 8, 2023.
Muckelbauer R, Sarganas G, Grüneis A, Müller-Nordhorn J. Association between water consumption and body weight outcomes: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013;98(2):282-299. doi:10.3945/ajcn.112.055061
Tate DF, Turner-McGrievy G, Lyons E, et al. Replacing caloric beverages with water or diet beverages for weight loss in adults: main results of the Choose Healthy Options Consciously Everyday (CHOICE) randomized clinical trial [published correction appears in Am J Clin Nutr. 2013 Dec;98(6):1599]. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;95(3):555-563. doi:10.3945/ajcn.111.026278

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Set & Track Your SMART Goal

November 14, 2023November 7, 2023 by Annalise Hafner

We have created more tools to help you set a SMART Goal and track your progress during this year’s Holiday Challenge. If you have not already done so, now is the time to set a SMART goal, one that is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. But, what exactly do we mean by each of those words? Our Set a SMART Goal tool walks you through the process of setting your own SMART goal and breaks down each piece. Start with your overall goal, then use the prompts to complete your goal. Here is an example:

Next, you can use our Habit Tracker tool to track your progress each week. Write out your SMART goal at the top, then add the behaviors that will help you make progress toward your goal. Indicate the days you engaged in the behavior with a check. At the end of the week, reflect on your wins and areas for growth. Here is an example using the same SMART goal:

You may find new behaviors or adjust the ones you start with as you go through the Holiday Challenge. Find behaviors that work for you and are sustainable.

Be a Soup-er Star

November 8, 2023November 8, 2023 by Casey Collins

When it begins to get chilly outside, one of the best ways to stay warm is with a hot cup of soup. Soups are a budget-friendly way to incorporate more vegetables into your day and there are many combinations of spices and flavors to try. We generally recommend avoiding cream-based soups like bisques and chowders due to the saturated fat content. It is best to stick with broth-based soups. Soups make a quick weeknight one-pot dinner, or when made ahead, can be a lunch that is eaten all week or frozen for later. Vegetable soups are often substitution friendly–meaning that you can substitute corn for peas or barley for rice.

When shopping for canned soups make sure to cut the salt, keep the flavor, and load up on beans and vegetables. Thanks to the new Nutrition Facts label, many soup cans now show the numbers for the whole can, jar, or carton in the second column. If you are buying a small-sized can, you may have to do some math since the can may not have space for the second column and will likely only show the numbers for 1 cup of prepared soup.

Soup Recipes to Try

Tomato Lentil Soup – this dish resembles Raasam a Southern Indian soup. However, we have adapted this to be made with ingredients more common to American kitchens.
Black Bean Soup – this recipe uses canned beans, which can be high in sodium. Be sure to rinse well to remove over ⅓ of the sodium indicated on the label.
Salmon Chowder – this recipe uses whole milk instead of heavy cream and any mix of rice will work but wild rice adds a nice bit of color.
Matzo Ball Soup – This broth-based soup is as soothing as it is delicious.
West African-Inspried Chicken Peanut Stew – This recipe was inspired by the Senegalese dish called Maafe, a hearty stew that cooks low and slow to evolve many complex layers of flavor.

Bonus tip

Skip the expensive boxed stock and make your own vegetable or chicken stock.

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How to Say No

October 16, 2023October 16, 2023 by Casey Collins

Often, we find ourselves juggling multiple commitments and obligations in our fast-paced world. It can be challenging to balance our personal lives, work, and social engagements. When friends or acquaintances invite us to events or make plans, it’s important to remember that it’s okay to say “No” especially when you genuinely can’t accommodate the request. Don’t overextend yourself and burnout or sacrifice important relationships by overcommitting. Saying “no” to social invitations doesn’t have to mean the end of a relationship. It’s all about finding the right balance between your personal commitments and your relationships. So, don’t be afraid to say “no” when necessary, and remember that the door to future plans can always remain open.

Using these considerate and friendly responses can help you decline an invitation while maintaining a connection with the other person.

“Thanks so much for thinking of me! I am not available this week but can definitely look toward later in the month!” – this response conveys appreciation for the invitation and offers an alternative time frame for getting together. It ensures that you’re still interested in spending time with the person, but you’re currently occupied.

“Hi! I haven’t forgotten! The past few weeks got away from me, but next month should work!” – acknowledging the delay in your response and suggesting a future date is a considerate way to decline while expressing your desire to connect later. It shows that you haven’t forgotten the invitation and are interested in planning something in the future.

“Ah! Totally slammed this time of year but after the holiday craziness, let’s figure something out!” – holidays and busy periods can make it difficult to commit to plans. This response highlights the hectic nature of your current schedule while also expressing the intent to make plans once the chaos subsides.

“So sorry I completely spaced! Let’s set something up for the New Year!” – admitting forgetfulness is human, and setting a plan for the future, like the New Year, shows your eagerness to connect when you can commit.

“Happy Fall! Sorry to be MIA, things have been crazy but let’s do something soon! Next week?” – apologizing for being absent and suggesting a specific time frame for meeting up shows your willingness to reconnect when your schedule permits.

“Hey! If you’re good to hold off till the 23rd, I’ll be around that day!” – by proposing a specific date when you are available, you are making it easier for the other person to reschedule the plans, showing your willingness to make time for them.

“Ah – rain! Let’s do something soon! Miss you!!” – expressing your desire to meet up in the future and letting the person know you miss them maintains the warmth of the relationship even when you have to decline the invitation.

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Visit Your Library

September 29, 2023November 8, 2023 by Meg Sargent

A little late in the month but…September is library card sign-up month! I know, this is a wellness blog, not a reading club. In my family, however, the library and the books and activities that it beholds are an integral part of our whole-person wellness. We are very grateful to live close to many great libraries that offer many wonderful resources.

Not all of these resources are book-related. For example, just in the past month, our library hosted activities that involved campfires, tie-dying, basketball, Lego building, yoga, craft days, and more. Talk about a boost to your social and mental health! These activities were fun for the whole family, but also great ways to engage with people in our community who have similar interests. These activities were fun all on their own, but occasionally, we took it a step further.

Although our house is not within walking distance of the library, there is a park nearby! Many times, we have taken a picnic lunch with us to these activities and walked to the park afterward to enjoy some healthy food and warm sunshine. Sometimes, we would even bring our library books with us to read while we lounged and relaxed at the park after lunch.

Libraries are so much more than books (although, that is an awesome part), they also are centers of the community that bring folks together and can inspire mental, social, and physical wellness. I encourage you to find your local library if you haven’t already, and see what type of wellness your library can offer you. If you live in North Carolina here is a directory of all the NC Libraries.

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Do I Really Need a Rice Cooker?

September 25, 2023September 18, 2023 by Carolyn Dunn, PhD, RD, LDN

Birthdays are a time of reflection for me. As I approach my 62nd birthday, I am reflecting on how my life is different since I am now in my 60s. One thing that has made my life better over the last two years – having a rice cooker. For years, 60 of them to be exact, I thought I didn’t need a rice cooker. I had a stove and a pot, I also had an instant pot. Both are inferior ways to cook rice. After a couple of times of wet soggy rice, I decided that maybe I was being stubborn about this rice cooker thing. Perhaps I should give it a try.

I talked with several people who were knowledgeable about rice cookers. You can spend $20 or almost a thousand dollars so I was overwhelmed with the possibilities. I opted for the Zojirushi rice cooker. It was available at a local kitchen store and, while not cheap, was not one of the super high-priced models. I also knew they would take it back if, after a couple of times, I was not happy.

Following the simple directions provided I cooked perfect brown rice, perfect short grain white rice, perfect brown jasmine rice, and perfect brown basmati rice. You get the picture, all rice comes out perfect. You don’t have to watch it, adjust the temperature, or wonder if your stove eye is too high or too low. It even sings you a song when it is done and can keep it warm for up to 4 hours. I have since branched out and cooked coconut rice using coconut milk for some of the water. It also was perfect. If rice is even a semi regular part of our diet, do not hesitate to get a rice cooker. You don’t have to get a high-end model or the brand I chose for it to provide you the benefits of perfect every time rice.

Just don’t wait until you are 60!

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Why Do Restaurant Salads Taste Better Than Homemade Salads?

September 18, 2023September 18, 2023 by Carolyn Dunn, PhD, RD, LDN

When you go to a restaurant and order a salad, whether it is an entrée salad or a small appetizer size, ever wonder why it tastes so much better than what you make at home? There are lessons to be learned from the pros of salad making. Here are the top 5 ways to make your home salad taste like a chef is in your kitchen.

Temperature – keep all ingredients cold, you can even chill the plates you are going to
use it to keep the salad ice cold.
Ingredients – choose fresh ingredients and use a variety of ingredients. Just lettuce is a
boring salad. Try different lettuces, shredded carrots, chopped cucumbers, dried fruit,
cherry tomatoes, and diced fruit. Also, cut the ingredients into appropriate sizes, even cherry
tomatoes should be cut in half for easier eating. Harder vegetables such as carrots are
best shredded.
Dressing – place all of your ingredients in a very large bowl and toss well with the
dressing. Serving the dressing on the side and allowing each person to top their salad
results in a few bites with too much dressing and some bites that may have no dressing.
You can use far less dressing this way and each piece of your salad will have just the
right amount of dressing. Try making your own dressing. It is super easy and you can
find recipes here.
Plating – plate your salad using tongs or a gloved hand to allow the salad to lightly sit on the
plate. This gives the salad some height and interest.
Texture – top the salad with the final ingredient to add some crunch. This may be sliced nuts,
sunflower seeds, croutons, or even a sprinkling of toasted bread crumbs. This final step
makes all the difference.

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Moving from I Can’t to I Can!—Physical Activity Barriers and Solutions for Older Adults

September 6, 2023September 6, 2023 by Kelly Nordby, RD, LDN

To honor September as Healthy Aging Month, it seems fitting to talk about the importance of physical activity for older adults. The benefits of regular, moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking, on our mental and physical health are very clear; however, as we age, there are more and more barriers to doing this on a regular basis. These barriers are related to three main areas: capability, opportunity, and motivation.

We may have heard ourselves say, “I can’t exercise because of”:

Capability-related barriers = chronic health conditions, physical or cognitive limitations, and pain.
Opportunity-related barriers = social isolation, lack of access to spaces to be active, equipment, or guidance.
Motivation-related barriers = feeling that it is too late to start being active; fear of falling, pain, or injury; lack of knowledge about how to be active; lack of enjoyment; or lack of support from others.

These barriers can make it harder to be physically active as we get older; however, they do not have to stop us completely. Adopting some simple solutions can make physical activity easier and more fun!

Now let’s move to I CAN exercise:

Barrier*	Potential solution*
Too tired/not enough energy	Work with a physical therapist or personal trainer who specializes in exercises for those with joint pain or arthritis. Try low-impact activities such as water aerobics, yoga, tai chi, or walking.
Fear of falling	Schedule physical activity during periods of the day when you feel most energetic. Moving more can give us an energy boost and can make us feel less fatigued.
Joint pain	Sign up for a strength class with supervision that works on balance. Begin with exercises that provide support for balance that use a chair, railing, or wall.
Lack of motivation, enjoyment, or social support	Lack of knowledge or skills regarding muscle-strengthening activities
Lack of motivation, enjoyment or social support	Find an in-person or virtual buddy in your community. Walking or doing another activity that you enjoy with others is a great way to connect and feel less isolated.
Bad weather or poor air quality	Find indoor options such as walking at a mall, airport, grocery store, big-box store, or gym.
Lack of expensive equipment	Seek guidance from a physical therapist or trainer about using cans, water bottles, or your own body weight for resistance exercises.
No close gym facility	Find ways to be physically active by doing household chores, gardening, dancing to your favorite music, or playing with your grandchildren. Consider walking or bicycling to do errands instead of driving. Join an online program, such as Silver Sneakers which has online fitness classes for seniors https://tools.silversneakers.com/

*Adapted from Table 3. Examples of Barriers and Potential Solutions for Older Adults, p. 30-31 of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report: Implementation Strategies for Older Adults. Full citation below.

Reference: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report: Implementation Strategies for Older Adults. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2023- https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2023-08/PAG_MidcourseReport_508c_08-10.pdf

Understanding the Role of Stretching

August 28, 2023August 22, 2023 by Annalise Hafner

Do you stretch on a regular basis? Stretching is often an overlooked component of our physical activity routines. Stretching prepares our muscles for movement, aids in muscle recovery, releases tension and improves flexibility, all of which promote proper movement patterns. Performing stretches on a regular basis, even if not before or after physical activity, is beneficial and might just help you feel a little bit better. Consider adding dynamic and static stretching to your routine as a stand alone practice or along with your current physical activity.

Dynamic Stretching

Include dynamic stretching before engaging in physical activity. These can be done prior to a low-intensity aerobic warmup.
These stretches involve movement and examples include bodyweight lunges (forward, side, or reverse), bodyweight squats, leg swings (front to back or side to side), push-ups with a rotation and inchworms.
Perform movements that work the same muscle groups you will utilize in your physical activity session.
Carry out these movements lightly and at a slow tempo. Do not force yourself past your range of motion.
Dynamic stretches are a great way to break up the time you spend seated. Perform a few for every 30 minutes of sitting or during TV commercial breaks to add extra movement throughout your day.

Static Stretching

Include static stretching after engaging in physical activity or after a low-intensity aerobic warmup. Avoid performing static stretches without moving first. You need to warm your muscles up prior to static stretching.
These stretches are held for 30 to 60 seconds to a point where you feel tension but not pain. Examples include bending over and reaching for your toes (hamstring stretch), holding your arm across your chest (shoulder stretch) and clasping your hands together above your head and reaching upwards (torso stretch).
Perform stretches that engage the same muscle groups you utilized or will utilize in your physical activity session.

How to Enjoy Your Vacation

August 22, 2023August 22, 2023 by Christine Lavelle

My family and I recently went on a week-long vacation to the North Carolina mountains. We had such a fantastic time it was difficult to come home!

When you are sharing a house with 9 other adults and are not in charge of meal planning, grocery shopping, or the schedule, it can be really difficult to stick to your normal eating, drinking, sleeping, and exercise routines. Over the course of the week, I consumed a LOT of foods and beverages that normally do not make it into my grocery cart at home. My half plate of vegetables at dinner was nowhere to be found. I engaged in plenty of mindless snacking and consumed a lot of high calorie drinks over the course of the week.

Instead of being hard on myself, I opted to focus on the people around me and the experiences we shared. By the time we returned home, I was craving vegetables and found it very easy to settle back into my normal habits and routines. It can be really tough for me, but sometimes I just need to give myself a little bit of grace and simply enjoy being in the moment!

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