Pleasing Your Picky Eater

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

Inventing ways to please a picky eater is part of what it means to be a parent. Mealtime can be a constant battle and many parents worry about what their children eat — and don’t eat. However, you can avoid the mealtime battles and win the war for your child’s proper nutrition by considering these tips:

Stick to the routine. Serve meals and snacks at about the same times every day. Keeping your child on an eating schedule will allow their bodies to tell them when they’re hungry.
Make it fun. Include dipping sauces with fruits and veggies for a light snack or use shaped cookie cutters to make foods look more appealing to your child.
Let them cook. Children are more likely to eat their own creations, so, when appropriate, let your picky eater help prepare the food. Give your little chef jobs such as tearing and washing lettuce, scrubbing potatoes, or stirring batter.
Go shopping together. When grocery shopping let your child choose some fruits and vegetables. Doing this will help familiarize them to good foods and they will be more excited to try these foods at home.
Be patient. This is the most important tip. When introducing new foods to your child there will be some hits and some misses but you shouldn’t give up.

Luckily for most parents, raising a picky eater is a short-lived phase for their child. Using these tips can improve your child’s willingness to try new things. For more information on tracking your child’s development and nutrition, schedule regular check-ups with their pediatrician. The Department of Pediatrics at Flushing Hospital Medical Center provides care to infants, children and young adults. To make an appointment, please call 718-670-5486.

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All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Hey! I Thought This Was Healthy

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

Optimal health is a goal for many but is sometimes easier said than done. In this day and age there are so many diet fads and new health trends that inspire us for a moment and create shortcuts to a seemingly healthy lifestyle. However, everything that might seem good for you can actually be bad for you. Let’s take a look at some popular health beverages that are actually junk food in disguise.

Fruit Juices

When you go to the supermarket you see a lot of juices that claim to have 100% fruit juice. That must be healthy because it comes from a fruit right? Wrong. A lot of the fruit juice is not really fruit juice. Sometimes there isn’t even any actual fruit in there, just chemicals that taste like fruit. What you’re drinking is basically just fruit-flavored sugar water. Fruit juice is like fruit, except with all the good stuff (like the fiber) taken out, only leaving you with sugar.

Sports Drinks

Sports drinks were designed with athletes in mind. Whether you are committing to a steady workout routine or joining a local sports team to stay in shape, you might grab a sports drink every once in a while to stay hydrated. These drinks contain electrolytes (salts) and sugar, which can be useful for athletes in many cases. However, most regular people don’t need any additional salts, and they certainly have no need for liquid sugar. Although often considered “less bad” than sugary soft drinks, there really is no fundamental difference except that the sugar content is sometimes slightly lower. It is important to stay hydrated, especially around workouts, but most people will be better off sticking to plain water.

Smoothies

Smoothies have long been the darling of the health-food world. Although some smoothies made with simple, whole-food ingredients can be healthy, don’t get fooled into thinking anything with the name “smoothie” is good for you. Some smoothies are made with lots of added sugars, high-calorie ingredients like chocolate syrup, or even use full-fat ice cream as a base. Your best smoothie bet? Make one at home so that you know exactly what’s in it.

Diet Sodas

The word “diet” doesn’t always equal healthy, and that’s certainly the case for diet soda. Made with artificial ingredients and flavorings, it’s not only unnatural and high in sodium, but regular diet soda drinkers have been shown to eat more calories after consuming diet cola. While the reasons aren’t fully understood, researchers suspect it’s the body’s way of making up for calories it thinks it received in the diet soda but didn’t.

Today we learned that foods that look good for us are not always the best for us. If you saw some of your favorite beverages on here remember that the fresh way is the best way! Carefully read all of your labels before consumption and look out for liquids that are high in sugars, fats and sodium.

How Does Obesity Effect Your Circulation?

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

New York now has the 12th lowest adult obesity rate in the nation, according to The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America. New York’s adult obesity rate is currently 27.0 percent. Although the percentages are slightly decreasing, obesity can be the cause of life-threatening health issues for many. The most common health-related issues caused by obesity are hypertension, diabetes and heart disease but, obesity can also lead to poor circulation which can cause blood clots.

The most common symptoms of poor circulation include: tingling, numbness, throbbing or stinging pain in limbs and muscle cramps. Your body’s circulation system is responsible for sending blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout your body. When blood flow to a specific part of your body is reduced, you may experience the symptoms of poor circulation. As a result of poor circulation blood clots will form in your body. Poor circulation is most common in your extremities, such as your legs and arms.

Blood clots can develop for a variety of reasons, and they can be dangerous. If a blood clot in your leg breaks away, it can pass through other parts of your body, including your heart or lungs. When this happens, the results may be serious, even deadly. If discovered early, a blood clot can often be treated successfully.

Discuss symptoms of poor circulation with your doctor. If you’re experiencing uncomfortable symptoms, they may be the sign of an underlying health condition. Other untreated conditions can lead to serious complications. Your doctor will work to determine the cause of your poor circulation and treat the underlying issue.

The journey to improved health begins with an improved diet. Here at Jamaica Hospital, the Nutrition Department offers outpatient services at our Ambulatory Care Center as well as many of our MediSys Family Care Centers, located throughout the communities we serve. To make an appointment, please call 718-206-7001.