#GiveMe5 Health Blog

Tips for a Happy and Healthy Holiday Table

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Hosting a holiday at home does not come without challenges, but the good news is that you can navigate the holidays beautifully and help create memories for years to come with a good plan and strategy. This is why we have created a list of things that can help you navigate the holidays with the confidence of a worry-free table.
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#GiveMe5 and Kohl’s Cares Deliver Help to the Community as Food Insecurity Rises During Summer

By: Leyanee Perez, RDN/LDN

We want to help our patient families increase their intake of fruits and vegetables by doubling our food assistance program. It is important to consume five servings of fruit and vegetables every day to receive the necessary vitamins and minerals. Eating more fruits and vegetables can help prevent some types of cancers and chronic illnesses. Here are ten tips to help you eat more fruits and vegetables this summer.
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Foods to Nourish your Mental Well-Being

By: Leyanee Perez, RDN/LDN

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. According to the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental health is not the absence of mental illness, but rather a state of complete physical, psychological and social well-being.  Because mental health can be lurking in the background at any stage of life, creating environments that promote mental health, such as making healthy choices, and healthier lifestyles are necessary for your mental well-being.
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3 Weight Loss Myths: Facts vs. Fiction

By: Leyanee Perez, RDN/LDN

The COVID-19 pandemic has hindered weight loss plans for many, and triggered weight gain for others. Thanks to fitness and calorie counting apps, influencers’ success stories, and a multitude of diet products in the market, it can be very confusing to differentiate between fact and fiction – leaving you feeling frustrated and ready to give up. Read on for some of the most common myths built around weight loss diets.
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Get to Know Your Healthy Eating Style

By: Leyanee Perez, RDN/LDN

Healthy eating can look very different for everyone in your family. Each age group requires unique nutritional needs that should be met through the foods and drinks you consume. “Just like you can’t burn calories in your fifties as you did in your twenties, children can’t eat like adults.” Learning what healthy eating looks like at each stage of life is key for a long healthy life.
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Buying Fresh, Locally Grown Fruits and Vegetables is Trending Right Now

By: Leyanee Perez, RDN/LDN

Not only does buying fruits and vegetables that are in season offer you the best value for your money as well as more nutritious for you, but it also supports our local farmers, the environment, and will help boost our local economy.
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Why are Walnuts Good for Me?

By: Leyanee Perez, RDN/LDN

Walnuts are tasty nuts that deserve a place at your table, with 13 grams of polyunsaturated fats, 4 grams of protein, 4 grams of total carbohydrate, 2 grams of dietary fiber, 130 mg of potassium and 30 mg of calcium per ounce.
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All Snacks are Not Created Equally

By: Leyanee Perez, RDN/LDN

Understanding why you are snacking is as important as knowing what to snack on. So, let’s take a closer look at the science behind snacking. Research says – We snack to satisfy cravings, relieve hunger, increase nutrient intake, boredom, to deal with emotions and sometimes to replace meals. The go-to-snacks are usually something like chocolate, chips and/or cheese. Mindful Snacking – Is about paying attention to what you eat, why you eat it, and how you eat it. Understanding the purpose and intention of the snack.
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Foods to Help Manage Stress

By: Leyanee Perez, RDN/LDN

Good stress or short-term stress is a healthy natural response that enhances the immune system. It is the long-term chronic stress that affects our ability to make healthy choices and to fight infections. To maximize the effects of "good stress," we need to find ways to cope with it fast. Fortunately, there are many things that we can do. Staying active and getting the right amount of sun is essential in managing stress. Check out the following tips that can help next time you find yourself in a stressful situation.
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Tips for Ordering Restaurant Meals

By: Leyanee Perez, RDN/LDN

Making healthful choices from restaurant menus can be challenging, and online menus can be more difficult since nutrition facts are usually hidden within the site, if available at all. Understanding the menu language will help you make smart food choices.
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Five Tips on Meal Planning and Healthy Eating on a Budget

By: Leyanee Perez, RDN/LDN

Sometimes deciding what to cook is just a matter of asking your tummy, “What do you want to eat?” and sometimes it takes a short trip to the pantry or fridge to get inspired.
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Keeping Your Food Safe

By: Leyanee Perez, RDN/LDN

We all know the importance of washing our hands to stay healthy. But did you know that all fresh fruits and vegetables need to be washed just as thoroughly? Check out these steps that you can follow to ensure your fruits and veggies are fresh and ready to enjoy!
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How to Boost your Immune System with Nutrition

By: Leyanee Perez, RDN/LDN

A healthy immune system is your family’s best weapon to fight the common cold or the flu season, and our job is to keep you ready. Below is a list of six immune-boosting nutrients and the different foods they can be found in, recommended by Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s #GiveMe5 program.
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12 New Year’s Resolutions for a Healthier You

This year, fill your resolution list with “good-for-you” goals that are easy to sustain. Let’s make 2021 a healthier year for you.
 

The Mediterranean Diet Meets a Western Tradition: Thanksgiving!

A healthy dietary pattern is linked to good health. The Mediterranean diet has been associated with positive health outcomes, but what do we do when the holidays come? Do we take a break from healthy eating? Do we skip the festivities? The answer is neither. In this article, I will show you how you can have a healthy delicious Thanksgiving meal following Mediterranean diet recommendations.

Fall Flavors

Hello fall, or is it “beautiful skin”?  It may not be a coincidence that fall fruits and vegetables are rich in carotenes, the antioxidants that protect our skin, eyesight, and help regulate the immune system. After all, summer days are all about fun in the sun. Exposure to UV rays in sunlight is known to cause premature aging of the skin, sun damage, skin cancer, eye problems and weakens the immune system. The beginning of fall also marks the beginning of the U.S. 2020 - 2021 influenza season, a peak time for immune responses.

It's Kids Eat Right Month

It’s Back-to-School time again, and while it may look a little different this year, the challenges are the same. “What to make for lunch and snacks?” is on every parent’s mind.