Winter Health Tips

[Angelina David]

WINTER: The bitter weather. The short days. The fattening food. Winter brings some of its own health challenges, but you can stay healthy as we head into the springtime.

New Year's Resolution One: Keep the Weight Off this Winter

The winter just wouldn't be the same without cookies, bread and anything laden with butter, cream and cheese. Studies show that, on average, Americans gain one net pound per year because of winter eating of so-called comfort foods. There are ways to avoid this weighty dilemma by serving highly nutritious, tasty food even when temperatures plunge below freezing. Helpful tips include: -- Eat enough fiber, especially in the form of fruits and vegetables.

-- Serve fruits and vegetables that are currently in-season; they will taste much better than out-of-season produce.

-- Substitute high-fiber sweet potatoes for high-carbohydrate potatoes.

-- Use low-fat dairy products in recipes.

-- Use applesauce in place of butter or oil in cakes.

-- Rely on seasonings and herbs rather than fat for making food tasty.

Registered dietitians from Northwest Hospital, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital and LifeBridge Health & Fitness are available for media interviews.

Who Knew Something So Simple Could Do So Much: Avoiding the Cold and Flu Through Handwashing

Experts increasingly believe handwashing to be the most important element of germ control and disease prevention. Cold and flu viruses are more likely to permeate the immune system when the weather turns bitter. Besides getting an annual flu shot (available to anyone over 6 months of age but especially recommended for people aged six months to 18 years and from age 50 years and over), there are precautions that everyone can take to avoid catching a virus and/or spreading one to others. Handwashing, experts increasingly believe, is a valuable tool at anyone's fingertips.

Do you know that there is a correct way to wash one's hands?

If you are using soap and warm water:

-- Rub your hands together hard for at least 15 seconds sing a song such as "Happy Birthday" twice, which will be roughly that length.

-- Make sure you wash areas that frequently get missed: the backs of the hands, between the fingers, the thumbs and the fingernails.

-- Use a paper towel to turn off the water if you use your bare hand, it will be re-contaminated.

-- If you are using waterless soap:

-- Make sure it contains at least 70% alcohol.

-- Rub the soap solution into every area of your hands until they are completely dry.

Medical experts at LifeBridge Health are available to talk about handwashing as a preventative measure for cold, flu and other illnesses.