Family Support

Tuesday March 28, 2017 is Diabetes Alert Day

It is important to understand your and your loved ones risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Take the test below!

Don’t shop on an empty stomach.

Plan out your meals and consider fitting in leftovers on those busy nights.

Get your frozen and refrigerated items before shopping the middle isles. This routine will limit the amount of time you spend in these sections.

Shop fruits and veggies that are in season. They will be affordable and delicious. Frozen is a good option year-round.

As you learn to shop healthy, bring your children to show them how.

Always shop with a list and stick to it.

Shop the outer perimeter of the store for your fresh healthy items.

Avoid flashy displays. The foods should sell themselves, not their packaging.

Look at the labels. Try to use a general rule of thumb that if you can’t pronounce an ingredient, you probably should find a healthier option.

The baby test: if you have a question as to whether a food is healthy, just decide if you would feed it to an infant.

Manners with Benefits

These simple changes will not only make you a delightful dinner guest, but also have great health benefits

Wait to eat until everyone is served. It is not a race, so if everyone starts at the same time you can take your time to enjoy the company and the meal.
Eat at the table with a plate of food. This allows you to see and know exactly how much you are eating. Avoid eating out of a bag, unless you are a horse.
Avoid those 2nd helpings. Serve yourself and leave extra food on the stove/counter and off the table within arm’s reach.
Savor every bite. Put your fork down between bites so that you can enjoy the texture and taste of each bite.
Clear the table. Have family members clear their own plate so there are no temptations to finish your kid’s meal.
May I be excused? Once you leave the dinner table, consider the kitchen closed. For the best night sleep you should finish eating dinner two to three hours before bedtime.