It appears that all “healthy” restaurant cuisine is not.  There are ways to guard against being mislead while dining out.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Club nutritional expert Beth LaCoste is part of a nonprofit organization advocating improved public health through the shedding of excess poundage.  She recommends asking servers how food is prepared, and using the internet to check out eating establishments’ nutrition information.  There are misconceptions about many popular foods:

1. Salad
Although heaps of chopped-up green, leafy veggies and/or fruit can be very healthful, salads laden with cheese and dressing should be avoided because these extra ingredients pack on calories and weight.

2. Fish
Lemon-laced fish that is baked or grilled is excellent, but platters of fried fish can add up to more than 2000 calories, especially is seasoned with copious cream sauces or butter.

3. Smoothies
A very nutritious, low-cal breakfast can be whipped up from yogurt and fresh or frozen fruit.  Pre-packaged smoothies, however, often include sugar and fattening whole milk.

4. Wraps
Too much cheese and sauce can amount to very calorie-laden wraps.  Stick to those with lean meat, veggies, little or no cheese, mayo or cream sauces.

5. Coffees
Straight coffee without added elements like milk or cream has no calories.  Such additives can boost coffee drinks’ calorie count to greater than that of a large hamburger.  Hold the whipped cream, and, if anything, use skim milk and sugar-free syrups.

6. Muffins
Muffins from bakeries and cafes often rival cake for sugary content and calories.  Best to avoid.

7. Fried veggies
Frying vegetables is one of the very few ways of making greens unhealthy.  Although it is becoming a popular trend–do not do it.

8. Multi-grain breads and buns
The phrase “multi-grain” sounds healthy, but is not.  Many of the refined grains used in such breads and buns have been drained of their proteins, antioxidants and nutrients.  100% whole-grain breads are much healthier.

9. Chicken
Chicken dishes like grilled breast are excellent choices as long as they are not seasoned with such condiments as bacon, cheese and mayo.  Instead try mustard, onions, tomato and lettuce.

10. Salad bar
Being included on a salad bar is not an automatic indication a food item is healthful.  Stay away from creamy salads like macaroni-and-peas, and cut back on shredded cheese.  Hard-boiled eggs are good, as are various lean meats and fresh vegetables.  Light dressings, oil and vinegar are excellent seasonings.

For more information call (800) 932-3677 or visit www.tops.org.

Everyone is invited to Longview Medical Center’s Healthy Woman program featuring Danielle Heard, MS, HHC, Certified Holistic Health Counselor and Founder of Artemis in the City on Tuesday, January 18 from 6 to 7 p.m. and learn how to achieve optimum health with whole foods.
Danielle, who overcame fibromyalgia and connective tissue disease, cialis 40 mg will share her story while highlighting beneficial foods that support the immune system, aid the body in healing itself and in the process lose and maintain phentermine online without a prescription a healthy weight without dieting.
To reserve a seat, please call Longview Regional Medical Center 903-381-7238 or sign up at www.healthywomanonline.com.
The event will be held at the Longview Regional Medical Conference Center located at 450 E. Loop 281, Longview, TX. Ladies bring your spouses and friends to this free event.

The Center for Disease Control reports that diabetes has become one of the most common chronic health problems for American children and adolescents.  Approximately 151,000 patients under age 20 have the disease.

Traditionally when the illness has afflicted children it has been Type One, or juvenile onset diabetes.  Yet over the past 20 years there has been a steadily increasing incidence of Type Two (adult onset) Diabetes among American children and adolescents.  Studies in Europe have also revealed a growing frequency of Type One Diabetes in young children.

East generic cialis canadian Texas phentermine without prescription Medical Center (ETMC) sponsored a camp for more than 40 diabetes at-risk children.  Called the East Texas Medical Center Growing Together Day Camp the event provided children with hiking, fishing, swimming, archery, rope courses, arts and crafts and, especially, diabetes education.  The campers ranged from age 6 to 15 and already suffer from both Type One or Type Two diabetes, or are overweight, and other campers who are at risk because of genetic factors.

Thirteen-year-old Taylor Betts is from Lindale, and attended because she became diabetic following an illness.  The camp taught her that having the disease is not a cause for shame, and that talking about it can help.  She found the camp an empowering experience and taught her she can do the same things as a non-diabetic child.  Siblings Nathan and Terianna Mbariket, and Laura Floyd, meanwhile, attended because of their families’ history of diabetes.

One of the most fascinating campers was Illissa Vandergriff from Chandler, who developed diabetes at the tender age of 23 months.  She learned the importance of exercise.  Armed with this new realization she aims to start participating in scholastic sports programs.  She discussed how she has become comfortable with and adept at using her second insulin pump.  She got her first one at age six.  She explained how the pump administers small amounts of insulin without her having to take injections.  Outgoing and confident she spoke of how eager she is to commence serious athletics and exercise because this will help regulate her insulin naturally.

“I do not feel embarrassed,” she said.  “I just want people around me to know that I have a pump and what it does so if I need help they will be able to render it fast.”

Although she has not yet decided on a career, she is certain of one thing:

“I will do something where I can give advice to people about diabetes,” she said.  “I am going to be someone who helps others.”

Camp Director Anjani Upponi is an instructor for the ETMC Diabetes University.  She said the camp helps children learn about diabetes if they can enjoy themselves during the education process.  She described children as being more accepting of unwanted facts than are adults.  When it is time to take their blood sugar they simply do it, although this may change when they are older.

“They see themselves as being in charge, and it won’t be cool to wear a diabetic pump,” she said.

Still, she is very positive about what faces diabetic patients.

“We know more now.  We have more choices.  We have made great advances,” she said.  “We have more physiological experience, and we encourage updates in education.”

She herself has a family history of diabetes, and she daily fights to avoid contracting the disease with exercise and good nutrition.

“Exercise is absolutely crucial,” she said.  “Exercise is the sole way to make sure the body wakes up…wakes up the insulin that opens the door to the body.”

She also spelled out the four pillars of diabetic management–food, medication, exercise and emotional health.

“Exercise is a type of medicine,” she said.  “Just get up and do something.  Just get moving.”

She described how the whole world is partaking of “easy food.”  Easy food is fast food, not  cooking your own good nutritious food -  this leads to obesity.

“Exercise and nutrition must become one of the core courses right from elementary school if the world is to survive the disease onslaught that comes with easy food,” she said.  “No matter what you do, eat right and lose weight.  Period.”

For further information on ETMC and its diabetic camp or diabetes education please call (903) 596-3763.