by Kimberly Mayo-Achan MA, CCC-SLP

In today’s fast paced society, people are encouraged to live efficiently and take advantage of all of the modern technologies and short cuts that are now available to give us more “productive” time in a day. Whether that short cut be sending an e-mail instead of a letter through the postal system or getting information through the internet instead of reading hard copy books, almost all of us take advantage of them because we have fallen away from waiting for something to get done. And gone are the days where a family has time to sit down together for a home cooked meal, because both parents are working and have the convenience of a microwave.

Pre-packaged and frozen dinners have become the norm for many families today. More likely than not, if you have a grandparent make you dinner, everything will be freshly prepared and cooked in their own kitchen on, believe it or not, the stove or in the oven! But, since the invention of the microwave, in addition to the stress of having to work full time jobs, it is easier and more time efficient to pop a premade dinner into the microwave, which can mean more time together at the table for some families. If you are a “frozen-food fanatic”, then at least make sure meal time is a healthy time. It is very important for families to gather together at meal time, but this does not mean it is ok to place just anything on the table.

Consumer reports magazine has just released a study evaluating dietary value and information on 22 different types of frozen and pre-packaged brands of food. They evaluated these brands based on cost, taste and nutrition. The findings, while not very impressive, were very interesting, as all three criteria showed a considerable improvement from previous studies. Almost half of these meals provided 5 grams or more of fiber per serving, and 6 out of the 22 provided 20% of the recommended daily intake of calcium. On the contrary, the majority of these meals had over 600 milligrams of sodium, while only 3 had less than 450 per meal. It was also found that many of these “meals” were not, in fact, entire meals in itself. In order to obtain adequate nutrition, servings of fruits and vegetables need to be added to each meal to make them complete.

The overall conclusions were that there are sensible prepared meals to serve to your family, with Kashi being the clear front runner. However, frozen and pre-packaged dinners should not take the place of fresh, home cooked food every day of the week. These meals are highly processed and often contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, which is known to have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system. It is better to make a few meals over the weekend and freeze your own foods for the upcoming week.

The bottom line is to try to find other ways during the day to make the most out of your time so that you have a few extra minutes to prepare a healthy meal. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it doesn’t have to come in a package either.

For the full report on packaged meals, you can subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org or log onto http://www.walletpop.com/consumer-reports/insurance/article/consumer-reports-packaged-diet-meal/847476?icid=main|search3|dl4|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.walletpop.com%2Fconsumer-reports%2Finsurance%2Farticle%2Fconsumer-reports-packaged-diet-meal%2F847476 for an abbreviated version of the study.

by Kimberly Mayo-Achan MA, CCC-SLP

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…or at least that’s how the song goes! For many of us, while the holidays may be fun, festive and joyous, they can also be very stressful. The long lines in the stores, worrying about giving the perfect gift, getting all of the decorations up on time, and of course, cooking and over eating can all contribute to the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Take a minute to yourself, read this article, and re-strategize your holiday headaches!

First and foremost, get organized! Before you do any shopping or any decorating, sit down and write a long list of what needs to get done and what gifts need to be bought. This will serve two main purposes. First, it will provide you with a concise visual of what needs to get done and will allow you to make a functional plan of how and when to get everything accomplished. Put a calendar next to you and pencil in your activities. Second, it will lessen your chances of wondering around aimlessly in store after store, spending valuable time and money on items you would not have otherwise purchased. If you are not sure what to get someone, a gift card to a store of their liking with a well written holiday greeting card is often appreciated. Websites such as redenvelope.com also offer an array of personal gifts for everyone on your list.

If you are doing the holiday cooking, make a list of all of the dishes you plan to make along with the ingredients for each meal. Look into a home delivery grocery service, such as peapod from Stop and Shop, and this will save you time, aggravation and a bad back, by not having to haul in numerous heavy bags. It will also help keep money in your wallet by not allowing you to play supermarket sweep and fill your shopping cart up with unnecessary items for your home. Many home delivery services, such as peapod, are offering $15.00 off for first time customers.

Contrary to what people may think, there is no rush, race or competition to have all of your decorations up by a certain date. Sure, they look beautiful, but it’s ok if you give yourself a couple of days to get it all done. If you are putting up a Christmas tree, try having the tree up the day before you decorate. This will allow you to enjoy placing your special ornaments without the stress of maneuvering your tree. If you don’t have a tree in your home, consider taking some of your ornaments and decorate that lonely tree in front of your house. Do your outdoor decorating during the day and dress accordingly. Have your kids, spouse, neighbors or friends lend a hand.

Understand that food is a very important part of the holidays; there is no avoiding it! The smell of gingerbread cookies, stuffing with gravy, potato pancakes or a fresh turkey is enough to make any mouth water. Set realistic expectations for yourself. Drink plenty of water during the day and have a light snack before you attend a holiday party. When you make yourself a plate, walk away from the buffet or main source of food. Take a few bites of everything on your plate to satisfy your palate. Indulging in smaller portions of what you are craving will decrease the likelihood of binge eating later on. When you are finished eating, take a walk over to some of your neighbors homes and deliver some fresh baked desserts or a nice holiday bouquet. This will help spread some holiday cheer while shedding those excess calories you ingested when eating grandma’s apple pie. If it’s too cold or rainy to walk outside, get out your favorite holiday tunes and dance away that ham and sweet potato pie! Also, choose your beverages wisely. Remember that just because it’s liquid doesn’t mean it’s not full of empty calories! In one cup of egg nog there are 343 calories and 19 grams of fat! Try swapping the egg nog for a home made hot chocolate, which has 1/3 the calories! For more “eat this, not that!” ideas, check out the following website:http://health.msn.com/weight-loss/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100247658.

Finally, remember not to over schedule yourself. Don’t wear yourself out. It’s never easy when you have to get to your uncle’s house by 1, your best friends house by 5, your business holiday party by 7 and then host more family at your house the following day. Make plans that you are able to realistically adhere to. Plan ahead as much as your can. Take 15 minutes a day for yourself. And remember, have fun! This time only comes but once a year! ‘Tis the season.

by Leonard Achan RN, MA, ANP

Many people are skeptical about the new push for electronic medical records (EMRs). While many companies like Google are making it easy and appealing for patients to transfer all of their documents onto their secure sites, it seems almost impossible to fully trust them with your most valuable medical information.

The majority of the population still seem to feel that there is something unsafe about having all of their medical information zipping across cyberspace. We will leave it to our readers to decide what the safest and best options are for storing their valuable information online. I will highlight the pros and cons of the top five services in a future article. For now, the focus of this article will be to tell you about an alternative which, in my experience, has helped save critical time and countless lives over the years. The big secret here is how you can gather your own medical records and safely secure them on your own computer, thumb drive or even your paper file draw. In situations where you may not be able to advocate for yourself and family is stressed and worried, you should afford yourself and your loved ones the ability to have all your records ready and available for the health care providers so that they can have all the necessary information to start treating you quickly and effectively.

We can begin by asking a simple question. When you or your loved ones have exams, tests or imaging such as X rays, ultrasounds  MRI’s, etc. do you ever ask for copies?

Did you know that when going to a physician’s office, lab or radiological center you could call ahead or even ask at the front desk (on arrival) that your images be copied onto a CD after the test?  Tell them you can wait after the test in case it only takes 10-15 minutes and that it is important that you leave with them on a CD.

When you’re admitted to the hospital or even visit an emergency room, do you ever request your medical records, your X-rays/imaging or notes from exams? Did you know that you can do that before being discharged by filling out and signing a medical information release form? They can then mail your file to you at home or you can pick it up another day. Most medical centers now have the ability to even copy those files to electronic PDF files. They charge minimal fees for this but it is priceless info to have since you may need it during your most vulnerable times.

Files copied to CD’s give you the ability to easily transfer them onto your computer. You can then organize them into a desktop file for easy management or save them onto your own thumb drive where you can keep all your records and medical images ‘portable’. If that is too technical for you, then simply keeping these CD’s and records at home in a file draw can be a lifesaver.  This makes the file ready and available at all times. Either of these options would be the best way to keep a medical record of your own. Calling your physicians office today and getting printouts of your labs or tests as well as written reports of your exams is an ideal way to start building your own medical record at home. It’s never too late as long as you know where to get your information. So make some calls today and start building your file. If you have any questions or need guidance, just ask in the comments section below.

Flickr:Now and Here

Are you coughing or feeling fatigued? Are you asking yourself “Do I have the H1N1 or seasonal flu?” Do you know what to do if you or a loved one becomes sick with the H1N1 flu? Hopefully, this article will help answer some of your important questions and ease your concerns regarding the H1n1 flu. According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: “The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu, including 2009 H1N1 and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.”

Most people who get H1N1 will get better on their own within a week or so. The CDC advises that you stay home for seven days from the onset of H1N1 symptoms.The harsh reality is that some people with the flu may need to be seen right away and treated in emergency rooms and even be admitted to hospitals for care. However, most cases of flu are fortunately mild and people can often take care of themselves at home just fine.

Please note that this information is not a substitute for your doctor’s advice. While an examination and diagnostic testing is required to diagnose H1N1, it is important that you become educated on knowing the common signs and symptoms of H1N1 flu. Early detection and proper intervention is key to fighting any illness. CDC has a downloadable educational flyer on signs and symptoms of the flu and clear instructions on what to do if you are sick.

Please click on this CDC link for more info:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/2009-10/pdf/what_to_do_if_you_get_sick.pdf.

If you are unsure about whether or not you have the H1N1 or seasonal flu, you should contact your doctor immediately before symptoms get worse. If you are showing signs and symptoms, you should avoid public crowded places such as work or school to prevent spreading of the virus. To keep other family members from catching the flu at home, you should wash your hands frequently or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Also use tissues to contain all coughs and sneezes. If it is not too cold outside, try to get some fresh air flowing thru the home.

Here are some easy tips on how to make yourself feel better, limit the growth, impact, and spread of virus:

*You can contact your physician and seek advice for a antiviral prescription such as Tamiflu

*Since the flu virus enters through your nose and mouth, one should frequently hand-wash and avoid touching the face.

*Stay home from school, work, or other activities. Avoid crowds.

*Get plenty of rest

*Clean your nostrils daily (blow hard into tissue and swab nostrils with Q-tip dipped in salt water)

*Gargle daily with warm salt water or antiseptic mouthwash to prevent exacerbation of viral population.

*Drink plenty of fluids and make sure you get plenty of Vitamin C. *Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine.

Flickr:M.Gruber

By: Eric Bitet, LMHC, MA, MPH

Are you a Phillies or Yankees fan? Have you been watching every out during this year’s World Series games? Do you often find yourself tense and stressed from following the games? Are you yelling at the TV as if they can actually hear you?  Do you find it painful or even irritating when your team is losing and does losing affect the quality of sleep or your mood the following day? If your answers to some of these questions are yes then you are definitely a sports fanatic or “fan” and take your sports very serious (to the point where the fun can be taken out of it).

But is this worth it or even healthy?  If you ask the millions of sports fans across the world why they take sports so seriously and what they get out of it, they might look at you strange or tell you that they do not care. They may say that it is ‘just sports’ and that they feel a sense of connection with these teams. It may just be the social or psychological side of it which can maintain bonds with family and friends.

There is research that indicates that there is another side of being a sports fanatic that might not be so healthy!  Many sports fans can become angry and experience increased levels of stress when their teams are not winning.  These increased stress levels can have negative implications on your health including an increased risk of heart attack.  According to a 2006 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine by Dr. Gerhard Steinbeck, a cardiologist, and his colleagues from Maximilian University in Munich, Germany there can be significant hazards to being a sports fan.  The study monitored the emergency rooms of local Munich area hospitals for heart attacks, chest pain, and major heart-rhythm disturbances during World Cup soccer games.  Their research found a significant increase of cardiac cases on days when the German national team played.  The data concluded that soccer fans had an increased risk of heart attacks during the World Cup championship games as cardiac problems were way up on days when Germany was playing verses days when there was no game.  Dr. Steinbeck stated that the German national team playing in the World Cup soccer games “put the whole nation in stress” exemplified by this spike in cardiac related visits to the emergency rooms.

Is it possible that sports can have this much of an effect on our bodies?  The next time you are watching a sporting event and are getting excited and stressed or are around someone else who is stressed over the “big game” think about what this level of stress is doing to your health.  How is it affecting our cardiovascular system?  What kind of effect is this stress having on our hearts? It would be really interesting to see this type of research replicated across different geographic locations and sports to compare the results to the above study.

So how do you think sports affect you or your friends and family?

Flickr:gillianberger

By  J. D’Abbraccio RN,MSN

What are you laughing about?

We have heard the expression time and time again. Laughter is the best medicine. Is it really true? Have you ever walked thru a pediatric or a medical ward in a hospital and noticed clowns or entertainers and thought it was odd? After reading this, you will know why. Scientific evidence has shown to support the effectiveness of humor on one’s health. When was the last time you really had a good long laugh? Do you remember how you felt afterwards? I do. It kind of felt euphoric and relaxing. Why is that?

flickr:edwarddullard

The reason is that physiological responses to a good long laugh include: increased circulation and respiration, lowering of the blood pressure, improved coordination of brain functions, increased number of antibody-producing cells, reduction of stress hormones levels such as adrenaline and dopamine, increased level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins and neurotransmitters, and lowering of glucose level in blood. In more simple terms, we change physiologically when we laugh. We stretch our face and body muscles, our heart rate and blood pressure increase, and we breathe faster. All result in sending more oxygen to our tissues. It has similar benefits and results from exercising. It boosts your energy level, relieves stress and pain, and strengthens your immune system. Laughter is very efficient in bringing your whole body back into equilibrium. Best of all, you don’t need a prescription or money to get this medicine. It is free and always available!

Humor and laughter are great coping mechanisms when it comes to dealing with stress and pain. Whatever your daily routine is, make sure you incorporate humor and laughter throughout your day. Studies have show women laugh on average more than men. We all need to find time to smile. More importantly, your positive attitude will rub off on all your family and friends. Don’t you want them to be healthier also? I know I do. Even if you’re a professional health care provider, it is ok to incorporate humor when providing care. Laughter has shown to be effective with arthritis and cancer patients. It helps motivate and improves pain tolerance.

Helpguide.org is a great informative website which shows the importance of laughter and how if affects our health. I highlighted some benefits below:

Have difficulty laughing? It’s normal. Many people do. Here are some tips on how to make yourself laugh:

*Try watching comedies instead of horror or sad movies.

*Get a joke of the day calendar for your work desk. Share it with co-workers and friends daily.

*Surround yourself around positive people and you will reap the benefits.

*Instead of complaining about life’s frustrations, try to laugh about them. Sometimes it is ok to laugh at silly mistakes. Especially if you are a parent.

Have you ever benefited from laughter/humor therapy? Or do you have a great tip on ways to bring humor to patients? If so, please share your experiences with our readers. We all can learn something new and get a good laugh while doing so.

By Kimberly Mayo-Achan MA, CCC-SLP

Do you give your child a multivitamin every day? Do you make sure they eat their fruits and vegetables to get their daily recommended dose of nutrients? Of course you do, so there is no way your child could be deficient in Vitamin D, right? Think again. According to a new study published in the journal “Pediatrics”, 1 out of every 5 children between the ages of 1 and 11 are not getting enough Vitamin D.

Many of us know that vitamin D plays an important part in keeping our bones and teeth strong and also helps to maintain sufficient blood levels of phosphorus and calcium. What many of us are not aware of, however, is that recent studies revealed that an adequate amount of vitamin D plays a critical role in the prevention of certain infections, diseases such as diabetes, and even certain cancers. Using the guidelines provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics, data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that 6.4 million children are actually lacking vitamin D. And according to Executive Healthcare Magazine, previous studies have concluded that children lacking vitamin D had increased levels of blood pressure and cholesterol and had a greater likelihood of being overweight. In addition, new evidence shows that getting enough vitamin D may help prevent colds, childhood wheezing, and winter-related eczema.

So there are two questions we need to ask ourselves now. One, why isn’t my child getting an adequate amount of vitamin D and, two,  how can I make sure their intake falls within the recommended guidelines? First let’s address the cause. Simply put, researchers on the online version of the Journal of Pediatrics have found that poor diet and lack of sunshine are the two biggest contributors to this problem. Dr. Michal L. Melamed of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University stated that children today lead a much more inactive lifestyle and limit their time outdoors. He also found that the scare of too much sun exposure has caused parents to keep their children indoors or fully covered when taken outside. The truth is the body uses direct UV-B sunlight to convert a form of cholesterol in the skin into vitamin D. All of these factors combined contribute to over 65% of our children being vitamin D deficient.

The best way to make sure your child is receiving sufficient vitamin D is to enforce a nutrient rich diet by giving them foods such as milk and fish. But these foods alone won’t do the trick. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends that infants, children, and teens should take 400 IU per day in supplement form, especially those people who live in areas where the sun may be too weak to maintain healthy levels of vitamin D. Most importantly, shut off that television, computer, or video game and go outside for at least 15-20 minutes each day for direct exposure to sunlight. All that being said, continue to be mindful of your skin and be sure to prevent sunburn or overexposure.

The bottom line is that children today need to lead a healthier, more active lifestyle. And as parents it is our job to implement it. So this afternoon, go out for a catch, a game of baseball, or even a short walk. Enjoy the fresh air, and take comfort in the fact that it is not only good for you mentally, but physically as well!

Flickr: Casamelo

By  Eric Bitet, LMHC, MA, MPH

As Halloween is now only two days away, October, also identified as Breast Cancer Awareness month, is coming to a close. During this time of heighten media exposure to Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns, how many of us took notice?  How many of us thought twice about breast cancer or even take it seriously as a legitimate life threatening disease?  Our city, state, and federal health departments as well as organizations such as the American Cancer Society have organized breast cancer education campaigns and preventative screening programs that are of little or no cost. But it is up to you to take notice and be proactive about your health and wellness.

So maybe you believe ignorance is bliss, or you think it can’t happen to you?  According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the most recent ‘national incidence and mortality statistics’ from 2005 show that 186,467 woman and 1,764 men were diagnosed with breast cancer and 41,116 women and 375 men died from breast cancer.  It is the seventh leading cause of death among women.  In addition, the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed and 40,170 people will die from breast cancer in 2009 alone.

Overall, there has been an improvement in the number of deaths resulting from breast cancer  and it may be attributed to the increasing efforts of health departments and cancer groups to educate our communities and increase awareness about the seriousness of breast cancer.  We are told to get screened. The New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) reports that having a screening mammography is an important way to identify potential cancer at an earlier stage and reduce the risk of death from breast cancer.  It is important that we get educated and become more aware. Make an appointment to speak with your physician and request a mammogram or contact your local health department and request information about breast cancer and find the nearest clinic offering breast cancer screenings.  For New York residents, visit the NYC DOHMH website link provided below for screening programs and clinic locations at (http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cancer/cancerbreast.shtml

Paying closer attention yet?  Hopefully!  But how does a woman or less commonly a man know when they should seek help?

Where do you begin?  What do you need to know? Become familiar with risk factors and symptoms of breast cancer.

The CDC indicates that there are several risk factors that can increase your chance of getting breast cancer.  These risk factors include:

Aging

Having menstrual periods early in life

Personal history of having breast cancer or other benign breast tissue diseases

Family history of breast cancer (mother, sister, father, daughter)

Having a genetic conditions such as the gene mutations BRCA1 & BRCA2

Having been treated with radiation therapy to breast or chest

Using oral contraceptives

Not having children or having your first child later in life

Beginning menopause at a later age

Using hormone replacement therapy for a long time

Being overweight especially after menopause

Being physically inactive

Drinking alcohol

Many people fall into one of these risk factor categories and should explore further with their physician the effects these risk factors may have on them.

Equally as important are recognizing the symptoms once cancer cells are present with breast tissue.  According to the CDC when breast cancer is in it’s initial phase it is too small to recognize and does not cause any signs or symptoms.  However, as it grows it can begin to alter how the breast feels and looks and can be identified by several different symptoms which may include:

A new lump in the breast

A change in the shape or size of the breast

Pain in the breast or nipple that does not go away

Flaky, red, or swollen skin, anywhere on the breast

For a full list of symptoms and a more in-depth look at the risk factors, symptoms, and other important information about breast cancer please visit the CDC website at the following link: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/pdf/BreastCancerFS.pdf

Information and knowledge is our greatest weapon against disease.  The body is a fortress and our immune system is in army!  Protect it by living healthier lives and becoming informed about health risks and particularly breast cancer risk factors. It is our greatest defense and chance to prevent such a dangerous and life threatening disease.  But, it is up to you.

What do you think your level of awareness is ?

Flickr: Pauly G

by Leonard Achan RN, MA, ANP;  Kimberly Mayo-Achan MA, CCC-SLP

By now, with the flu season quickly approaching and the on going warnings about the H1N1 virus, people have become increasingly aware of the existence of germs in public places such as the mall, a school, restaurants, or even the doctor’s office. The CDC just released a statement that the best way to avoid getting sick this season is to minimize your time in small places with large crowds. But what if germs are closer than you think? What if they were in places you never even thought? Read on to find out how the one thing most of us have grown so dependent on every day is the one object that may breed more germs than a public bathroom!

Did you know that 3 out of 4 mobile cellular phones carry potentially dangerous germs? According to Health magazine, your cell phone may inhabit 10 to 50 million bacteria. This is because germs tend to multiply in warm places and generally, people like to keep their cell phones in their pocket, purse or briefcase, and, obviously, next to their ear. The germs are transferred from the face and hands and are then given a nice warm environment that is ideal for the multiplication of harmful bacteria. A recent study in England found 25% of all cell phones to be more germ infested than a bathroom toilet seat! Now think about all of those germs and bacteria and relocating them back into your jeans pocket, purse or briefcase. It’s a never ending cycle of bacterial exchanges.

Dr. Charles Gerba, a professor at the University of Arizona, conducted a number of studies that reveal disturbing information about germs on common objects people come into contact with daily; cell phones being amongst the dirtiest.

• Cell phone: 25,000 germs per square inch
• Desktop: 21,000 germs per square inch
• Computer keyboard: 3,300 germs per square inch
• Computer mouse: 1,700 germs per square inch
• Fax machine: 300 germs per square inch
• Copy machine: 70 germs per square inch
• Toilet seat: 50 germs per square inch

Now that you have this information, what is the solution? For starters, carry anti-bacterial wipes to clean your phone before and after every use. Also, wash your jeans or pants with the pockets folded out in ultra-hot water to get rid of the germs manifesting in those areas. Additionally, clean out your purse or briefcase and sterilize the items inside that your cell phone comes into contact with. If you are in the market for a new cellular phone, look into companies that are developing devices with antimicrobial coatings. Wash your hands frequently and think twice before taking a call on someone else’s phone. Can you hear me now?

 By J. Dabbraccio RN, MSN

Have you recently gone to a chain restaurant such as McDonald’s or Starbucks and noticed calories posted on the menu board? Were you delighted or upset to see this? Did you know New York City was the first place in the country to require calorie posting on chain restaurants and our government now wants to mandate it to be adopted nationwide? What did we all learn from this experiment? Did people choose healthier foods after knowing how many calories they were about to consume? Did people even notice that the calories were posted?

A recent New York Times article talks about a study performed by several professors at New York University which tracked 1,156 customers at four fast-food chains (McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King and Kentucky Fried Chicken). The study “found that about half the customers noticed the calorie counts. About 28 percent of those who noticed them said the information had influenced their ordering, and 9 out of 10 of those said they had made healthier choices as a result. But when the researchers checked receipts afterward, they found that people had, in fact, ordered slightly more calories than the typical customer had before the labeling law went into effect in July 2008. Orders had a mean of 846 calories after the labeling law took effect. Before the law took effect, it was 825 calories.”

Flickr: heidihvt

I believe posting calories on menus is a good health initiative and will have a greater effect long term on people who were already monitoring their own health and diet intake prior to this initiative. The truth is that the majority of people who do eat out usually pay more attention to price of meal instead of the calories. Unfortunately, healthy meals are not cheap. Most people want to get the most out of their dollar when ordering out. If you do not have money to make the right healthier choice, then caloric information is irrelevant.

Also, do people really understand the meaning of calories? Do you know how many calories to consume per day for your needs? Most people do not.

A calorie is defined as a unit of measurement which represents the energy in food. When you read something on a label that says 200 calories, it’s a method of describing how much energy your body could get from eating or drinking it. In simple terms, when your body requires fuel it burns the calories in food for energy. If you eat more calories than your body needs at any given moment, it doesn’t burn those calories but instead stores them as body fat which eventually can lead to weight gain. If your body burns more calories than you eat, then you may possibly loose weight over an extended period of time.

As a quick guide, your body requires about fifteen times your body weight in calories in order to fuel your basal metabolism. Below is a chart showing the recommended average daily calorie intake for each gender and age group:

Recently, calorie posting has entered the national health care reform debate. Do you think we need calorie counts on menus in chain restaurants across America? Do you it will impact the way we order and consume foods? Please post your response on HealthGavel and let our debate begin!