Health Month Information

September is National Cholesterol Education Month
Too many people assume heart healthy equals only no fat and low fat foods. The first step is removing the saturated fat from your diet (which usually takes care of the dietary cholesterol too). Then progress to heart protective foods. Too many “heart healthy” products are actually health imposters- less desirable forms of fat, too much added sugar, little to no fiber or mostly refined carbohydrates. Supply does equal demand. If you buy it, manufacturers will make more products like it.

Get progressive by choosing nutrient dense, plant-based, whole foods and healthy fats. The only food you should super size is veggies! The following recipes take a heart healthy diet to the next level. Let your taste buds experience something new. You can also sample these easy, nutrient loaded recipes at our FREE Healthy Lifestyle Support Group on September 13th at 1 pm and 7 pm (the 2nd Monday of every odd month)

September Heart Protective Recipes
National Cholesterol Education Month

Prior Months

August- Back to School. Are You Eating Right?
Summer is over and the kids are heading back to school. Will you meet yourself coming and going? Don’t let your nutrition habits slide. The following require Adobe Reader to view and print.
Smart Entertaining
Smart Shopping
Three Simple Steps

July- Keep the Momentum Going
Over half the summer is gone. Are you starting to let those habits slide? Don’t let the summer barbeques completely derail you. Include the summers best rated foods (not those overrated). Check out the fresh summer salads to keep you on track. Make an informed frozen treat choice. The following articles require Adobe Reader to view. 
2010 July Ice Cream Ratings
2010 July Over and Underrated Foods
2010 July Summer Salads

June- Start Your Summer Out Right!
Summer is in full swing- ball games, picnics and vacations. Don’t let extreme eating ruin your progress. Depending on where you eat, even splitting a meal may not be good enough. It really adds up on vacation. Choose wisely from the menu or buffet line by focusing on what you should eat. You pay the bill in more ways than one. The following articles require Adobe Reader to view.

Extreme Eating
What Should I Eat?
Get a Game Plan  (put the Healthy Dining Finder link here)

May is National Blood Pressure Education Month
High blood pressure is a silent killer. Most Americans eat at least triple (if not more) of the currently recommended sodium levels (2300 mg or 2.3 grams per day). Click on the link below for 25 great tips for cutting the sodium without cutting the flavor.
Tasting Success with Cutting Salt

April 2010 is National Occupational Therapy Month
Memorial Hospital Physical Therapy Department now includes occupational therapists. Occupational therapy is a science-driven, evidence-based profession that enables people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health and prevent—or live better with—illness, injury or disability. Click on the link below to find out more or call the Physical Therapy extension (extension 1248) to schedule an appointment.
American Occupational Therapy Association website

March 2010 is National Nutrition Month
Click in the link below to print the facts you need to know about food. File is in Microsoft Word.
Optimal Nutrition

November 2009 is National Diabetes Month
Conversation maps are a great way to help yourself or others learn more about diabetes. These maps are for new diabetics, friends of diabetics or those who have had diabetes for years. Meetings are held quarterly (December, March, June, September) on the second Tuesday at 1:30 pm. Room directions are posted at the hospital entrances. If you have questions, call 826-4581 and ask for Valerie Blechle, RN or Melissa Soellner, RD. Hope to see you in December! For individualized help, medical nutrition therapy is covered by Medicare and many private insurances for new diabetics or existing diabetics with worsening control, medication increases or complications from Type I or Type II diabetes. Many insurances may even cover services for pre-diabetes with a dietitian.

If these meetings do not work out for you, learn more about keeping yourself or a loved one healthy by clicking on each link below. Some of the larger files may take 10-15 seconds to appear on your computer screen.
7 Principles for Controlling Your Diabetes for Life
Tips for Helping a Person with Diabetes
The Power to Control Diabetes Is In Your Hands (older adults)
Expanded Medicare Coverage of Diabetes Services Fact Sheet
Take Care of Your Feet for a Lifetime
Recipe and Meal Planner

October 2009 is National Physical Therapy Month
"Move Forward: Physical Therapy Brings Motion to Life" this month.
Memorial Hospital Chester's Physical Therapy Department
National Physical Therapy website