HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Food Safety

  • Prevent Kids From Choking

    FAMILY LIFE

    Image of father and daughter eating oranges.

    Food-not toys-are the most common culprit of choking accidents in kids under 5. The reasons have a lot to do with a child’s anatomy.

    “Young children have underdeveloped swallowing mechanisms, immature teeth and narrow airways, which put them at a higher risk for choking on food,” said Dr. Nina Shapiro, a professor of head and neck surgery at the UCLA School of Medicine. “Plus, the diameter of a child’s airway is about the size of their pinky, so high-risk foods can easily block their tiny airways and prevent their ability to breathe.”

    The list of high-risk foods for children under age 5 years includes many kid favorites:

    *  Cheese sticks

    *  Chewing gum

    *  Chunks of meat or cheese

    *  Chunks of peanut butter

    *  Chunks of raw vegetables

    *  Dried fruit

    *  Grapes

    *  Hard or sticky candy and lollipops

    *  Hot dogs

    *  Nuts

    *  Popcorn

    *  Seeds such as pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds

    Here are some tips:

    *  Vegetables should be cooked and cut into small pieces.

    *  Hot dogs and cheese sticks should be cut lengthwise, then widthwise, and then into the shape of small moons.

    *  Grapes should be peeled and cut in half or quarters.

    *  Nut butters should be spread thinly onto crackers or bread.

    *  Young children should always be attended to by an adult when they eat and only eat developmentally appropriate foods.

    *  Children should sit up straight and not play or run while eating.

    If a child does choke and is unable to breathe, call 911 and perform the Heimlich maneuver. Even if the child seems to choke but then coughs and appears fine, the object may have become lodged, and the child should see a doctor.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Re-Freeze Foods Safely

    HEALTHY EATING

    Image of a freezer.

    It’s an old-wives’ tale that foods cannot be refrozen. But follow guidelines for safe food handling, according to the Partnership for Food Safety Education and the USDA.

    If raw foods such as meat, poultry, egg products, and seafood have been thawed in the refrigerator, then they may be safely re-frozen without cooking for later use. Never thaw raw foods by letting them sit on the kitchen counter. If raw foods are thawed outside of the refrigerator, for example in the microwave or in cool water, they should be cooked immediately. Never re-freeze raw or not fully cooked foods that have been thawed outside of the refrigerator.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Store Picnic Food Safely

    HEALTHY EATING

    Image of teens at the beach with a cooler.

    A picnic in the park can be great fun for everyone, but it’s important to assure your food arrives safely along with your family and guests. Follow smart food packing guidelines, say the experts at the Institute of Food Technologists. Keep meats, including lunch meats and raw meats, cheeses, and condiments cold in insulated, soft-sided bags or coolers with freezer gel packs.

    Food needs to be stored at 40ºF or colder to reduce the risk of germ growth, so limit the number of times you open the cooler. Never allow food to sit for more than 2 hours at temperatures below 90ºF, and no more than an hour when temperatures exceed 90ºF outside. Throw away food that’s been sitting out too long.

    Securely package raw meat, seafood and poultry to ensure the juices don’t contaminate other foods. Pack only the amount of perishable food that you think will be eaten. Beverages and perishable foods should travel in separate containers and coolers, especially if you’ll be transporting raw meat.

    When it’s time to go home, don’t reuse packaging material that has contacted raw meats or meat juices. Make sure perishable leftovers stay cold on the trip home. Avoid taking home uncooked leftovers.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • The Rise Of Food Allergies

    HEALTHY EATING

    Image of an older Asian couple stretching.

    The body’s immune system is designed to fight off unwanted invaders, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi. But when the immune system reacts to something that isn’t usually harmful, such as pollen, dust, or certain foods, it’s considered an allergy.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says 5 out of every 100 children in the U.S. have a food allergy today. About 4 percent of all adults also have food allergies.

    While some reactions may be mild, such as hives or tingling, other food allergies can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.

    Increase in allergies – and questions

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that food allergies increased 18 percent among children from 1997 to 2007.

    Researchers are still trying to find out why food allergies continue to increase. However, they do know a few key facts about food allergies:

    *  Up to 90 percent of all food allergies involve eggs, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat and soy.

    *  Food allergies can occur at any age, not just during childhood. Even if you’ve eaten a food before without problems, you can become allergic to it later.

    *  If you have a parent with allergies, asthma, or eczema, you are more likely to have food allergies.

    *  Kids with food allergies are up to 4 times more likely to have asthma and other allergies, such as hay fever.

    *  Allergies to fish, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts tend to last a person’s entire life. Dairy, egg, and soy allergies are sometimes outgrown.

    *  There is no cure for allergies: the allergic food must be avoided.

    A recent analysis in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that introducing some allergenic foods to a baby earlier in life could lower the risk of food allergies. Talk to your pediatrician before giving your child new foods, especially if allergies run in the family.

    Severe allergic reactions: WHAT TO DO

    Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be deadly. Symptoms include facial or lip swelling, paleness, weakness, difficulty breathing, vomiting and fainting. If someone is having anaphylaxis, it’s important to:

    *  Ask if the person has epinephrine (EpiPen or another injector) and see if they need help injecting it. It is usually injected into a person’s thigh. This should be done quickly.

    *  Call 911 immediately.

    *  Even if the person starts to feel better, he or she should still go to the hospital and seek medical care. The epinephrine delays the reaction, but the allergy must still be treated by a doctor right away.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • The Salty 6: Hidden Sources Of Salt

    HEALTHY EATING

    Image of a bowl of soup.

    Salt, or sodium, can affect your risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. Many Americans already eat much more than the daily recommended amount of salt. Even if you skip the salt shaker, many foods already have high amounts of salt in them. In fact, more than 75 percent of the salt we consume is already in our foods. It’s not coming from the salt shaker! Be aware of these “salty 6” and start eating less of these foods:

    1. Breads and rolls

    When eaten several times a day, these foods add up to a lot of sodium. Most bread has 100 to 200 mg of sodium per slice. Check labels for lower-sodium varieties.

    2. Pizza

    The cheese, crust and tomato sauce used for pizza often contain a high amount of sodium. Add pepperoni and sausage and you’ve got a sodium explosion. Ask for less cheese and sauce, skip the meat toppings, and add more veggies. Pair it with steamed vegetables, a salad or fruit to help fill you up.

    3. Sandwiches

    Restaurant burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches may contain all of your salt allowance for the day. Make burgers at home without salt or ask for a lower-sodium option when eating out (e.g., roasted chicken sandwich). You can also share the sandwich with a friend and fill up on a fresh salad.

    4. Lunch meat or cold cuts

    Six thin slices of deli meat may contain half of your entire day’s worth of salt. Look for lower-sodium lunch meats or skip the deli meats altogether. Instead, try hummus, sautéed vegetables, tuna without salt or eggs as other tasty sandwich options.

    5. Soup

    Canned or pre-packaged soups may have almost an entire day’s worth of salt in one serving. Make homemade soup, if possible, or check labels to find lower-sodium versions. Remember, your taste buds will become more sensitive to less sodium over time.

    6. Burritos and tacos

    Toppings and fillings are often loaded with sodium. For a healthier version, choose burritos and tacos that are veggie-friendly and have less meat and cheese.

    Replace these salty foods with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean fresh meat and dairy. And, when you season your foods, choose a salt-free herb blend that adds flavor without any sodium.

    Source: American Heart Association

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Wash And Eat

    HEALTHY EATING

    Image of man holding a bowl of fruit.

    Pesticides are compounds that help to protect crops from devastating pests and weeds. Whether conventional or organic, farmers safely and carefully use pesticides as necessary to control insects, weeds, and fungus (organic farming does permit the use of certain pesticides), says the International Food Information Council.

    Pesticide residues are tiny amounts of chemicals that may remain on food from their application to crops while being grown on the farm. Some crops are less susceptible to pesticide residues, such as those with a husk (corn), shell (peanuts), or skin (bananas). However, even those without an outer layer are safe to eat, and simply washing raw fruits and vegetables before eating them removes most traces of pesticide residues.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Wash That Lettuce

    HEALTHY EATING

    Close up image of hands washing lettuce.

    While it is important to thoroughly wash most fresh fruits and vegetables, if packaged greens are labeled “ready-to-eat,” “washed,” or “triple washed,” then the product does NOT need to be washed at home.

    Pre-washed greens have been through a cleaning process immediately before going into the bag. Re-washing and handling the greens creates opportunities for contamination.

    Always handle pre-washed greens with clean hands and make sure cutting boards, utensils, and countertops are clean, according to the Partnership for Food Safety Education.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 3 Steps To Cleaner Eating

    HEALTHY EATING

    A bowl of falafel with hummus, green peas, carrots, and purple cabbage.

    Eating well is one of the most important things you can do for your body. A well balanced diet contributes to overall health and protection from disease.

    Making micro or small changes to your diet eventually add up to better health. If you’re ready to clean up your food choices, here are three easy habits that can help.

    1. Focus on plants

    Instead of worrying about all the foods you shouldn’t be eating, focus on what you can include. Plant foods provide the best nutrition and should make up a majority of your diet.

    A good first step to cleaning up your diet is to add more plant foods to each meal and snack. These include:

    *  Fruits

    *  Vegetables

    *  Beans

    *  Nuts and seeds

    *  Whole grains

    *  Healthy oils like olive, sunflower, and avocado oil

    2. Have a salad or smoothie

    Choose a healthy salad or smoothie to make up the bulk of one meal each day. This is a simple way to increase your plant food intake while controlling calories and portion size.

    Make your daily smoothie or salad fiber-packed to promote fullness and digestive health. In addition to adding plenty of fruits and vegetables, consider including nuts, chia, hemp, or flax seeds for an extra boost of nutrients and fiber.

    3. Snack on whole foods

    Feeling deprived and hungry will quickly result in giving up on your healthy new eating habits. Clean eating is delicious and should make you feel good!

    So, keep tasty whole food snacks on hand to keep you satisfied all day long. Here are some ideas:

    *  Sliced apple with peanut butter

    *  Hardboiled egg and a piece of fruit

    *  Sliced vegetables and a piece of cheese

    *  Hummus with cucumbers

    *  Mixed nuts and a piece of fruit

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine