HEALTHY LIVING
Building a balanced diet with a better sandwich
(Family Features) Fad diets come and go, and as many Americans find, so do the pounds they lose. Most experts agree that eliminating, or drastically reducing, any of the major foods groups from your diet can be detrimental to your health and prevent you from achieving long-term healthy eating goals.
Each of the food groups plays a distinct role in fueling your body and providing it with the vitamins and nutrients it needs. Attempt a well-rounded approach to eating, such as one that includes more nutritious choices for popular dishes like sandwiches. In general, pay attention to the variety, amount and nutrition of the foods you consume.
Consider these ideas for creating a balanced diet and a nutritious sandwich to help ensure you get enough of each food group:
Start from the Outside
There are two groups of grains: whole grains and refined grains. Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel, while refined grains have been milled for a finer texture and are required to be enriched per government mandate to help the population make up for nutrient shortfalls. Grains should account for about one quarter of each meal, but at least half of them should be whole grains – a fact that may surprise some people.
“Many health professionals mistakenly encourage consumers to skip the bread when trying to improve diets,” said Yanni Papanikolaou from Nutrition Strategies Inc., who completed a study to assess the energy and nutrients contributed from sandwiches in diets of children and adolescents. “Americans need to think twice before cutting bread from their diets. In fact, bread packs more of a nutrient punch than a caloric one.”
The ingredients inside a sandwich, not the bread itself, are the most significant drivers of calories, fat and sodium, according to Papanikolaou’s research. A separate study published in the journal “Nutrients” shows grain foods contribute less than 15 percent of all calories in the total diet, while delivering greater than 20 percent of three shortfall nutrients – dietary fiber, folate and iron – and greater than 10 percent of calcium, magnesium and vitamin A.
Consumers can significantly and positively impact their caloric, fat and sodium intake by making more deliberate decisions about sandwich ingredients, including choosing either whole-grain or enriched-grain bread. Find more information about the role of grains in a healthy diet at GrainFoodsFoundation.org.
Rethink the Ingredients
Making more nutritious choices with sandwiches and positively impacting your consumption of calories, fat and sodium is oftentimes a matter of changing the way you stack ingredients between the bread. Consider this sample sandwich: two slices of whole-grain or enriched bread, 2-3 slices of lunchmeat, two slices of cheese, a few spinach or lettuce leaves and a slice of tomato.
Contrary to popular belief, research shows that sandwich eaters who choose either whole- or enriched-grain bread can consume less calories, fat and sodium compared to the typical sandwich consumed in the American diet. This demonstrates the need to focus on the ingredients between the bread for a better (more healthful) sandwich.
Try a different take on a lunchtime favorite by adding spicy horseradish to this Roast Beef and Arugula Sandwich, or make packing a lunch even simpler with this Ultra-Thin Pastrami Sandwich Lunchbox.
Protein
According to the USDA, most Americans get about the right amount of protein in their diets, but could do better at choosing leaner options and adding more variety to their menus.
Incorporating more variety doesn’t have to mean sacrificing convenience. For example, while prepared meats like deli meats, hot dogs and jerky are sometimes a target of critics, numerous studies and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans affirm they can be part of a healthy, balanced diet. Prepared beef products provide a convenient source of protein, vitamins and minerals. Because most prepared meats are pre-cooked, they offer consumers easy, on-the-go access to the nutrient density in meat.
The prepared meats category is diverse and offers choices to meet nutrition needs, tastes, budgets and personal preferences. Thousands of products are available in the meat case, including low- and reduced-sodium products, low- and reduced-fat products, American Heart Association-certified, organic, Kosher grass-fed options and more. Learn more at meatpoultrynutrition.org.
Roast Beef and Arugula Sandwich
Recipe courtesy of the Grain Foods Foundation
Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2
- 1 tablespoon low-fat mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons horseradish
- 4 slices whole-wheat bread
- 4 slices tomato
- 4 ounces lean roast beef, thinly sliced
- 1 cup arugula or wild greens
- Spread mayonnaise and horseradish evenly over two bread slices.
- Layer tomato, roast beef and arugula on top of mayonnaise and horseradish. Top with remaining bread slices.
Ultra-Thin Pastrami Sandwich Lunchbox
Recipe courtesy of the North American Meat Institute
Servings: 1
- 2 slices thin whole-wheat sandwich bread
- 2 tablespoons low-fat garden vegetable cream cheese
- 1 ounce ultra-thin pastrami
- 1 ounce unsalted pretzels
- 1 apple
- 1 squeezable low-fat yogurt
- 1 water bottle (8 fluid ounces)
- Using knife, spread bread slices with cream cheese. Layer pastrami on bottom slice and top with second slice.
- Fill lunchbox with sandwich, pretzels, apple, yogurt and water bottle.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images (main image)
(Family Features) The holidays are coming up, and many people will be celebrating with family and friends. The start of colder months also means flu, COVID-19 and RSV can surge. That can be dangerous for older adults.
“Holidays are a time to gather with family and friends,” said Charlene Wong, MD, MSHP, senior advisor for health strategy at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “but for older people, this can come with risk of serious respiratory illness. Get your updated flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines to reduce your risk and do more together.”
Before heading to holiday gatherings, check out these tips from the Risk Less. Do More. vaccine education campaign. They can help you and your older loved ones enjoy a happy holiday season while lowering the risk of serious illness from flu, COVID-19 and RSV.
Get Vaccinated Against Respiratory Illnesses
Older adults are at higher risk of getting seriously ill, ending up in the hospital or dying from flu, COVID-19 or RSV. Vaccines are the best protection against severe disease from these common respiratory illnesses. The CDC recommends that all adults ages 65 and older get the updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines. An RSV vaccine is also available to help protect older people from severe RSV. It is recommended for all people 75 and older, and for those ages 60-74 with certain health conditions, like heart or lung disease or diabetes, or who live in a nursing home. If you are a caregiver or help an older adult with their medical decisions, encourage them to talk to their doctor about the vaccines that are right for them.
Gather Safely
Respiratory illnesses often thrive in indoor spaces where people are in close contact. If the weather permits, try hosting holiday gatherings outside. When gatherings are inside, think about keeping windows open or using fans for ventilation. If you are going to a large indoor gathering, consider wearing a mask. Washing your hands frequently, or using hand sanitizer, also helps reduce the spread of germs. Encourage your older loved ones to take these precautions as well.
Stay Home If You’re Sick
No one wants to miss out on festivities, but it’s important to stay home if you are not feeling well. Encourage your family and friends to do the same. Remind them about the impact flu, COVID-19 and RSV can have, especially on older adults. If you’re a caregiver of an older adult, monitor any respiratory symptoms that may develop. Testing for flu and COVID-19 can also help inform your plans. All U.S. households can now receive four free COVID tests. Order them for your family and your loved ones at COVIDTests.gov.
For many older people, the fall and winter holidays are an important time to connect with others. Be sure to include vaccinations in your holiday planning. Go to vaccines.gov to get started today.
You can also learn more about flu, COVID-19 and RSV at cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore or by talking to your doctor about which vaccines are right for you this season.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
United States Department of Health and Human Services
(Family Features) Respiratory viruses are common in the fall and winter months. Flu, COVID-19 and RSV can surge during the cooler weather and keep people from gathering with family and friends. They cause many people to get very sick or even to be hospitalized.
“We know that getting vaccinated is the best defense against severe illness and death caused by flu, COVID-19 and RSV,” said Nirav D. Shah, MD, JD, principal deputy director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Respiratory virus season is here and now is the time to get your updated vaccines so you can focus on what matters most: spending quality time with friends and family.”
Vaccines help people risk less serious illness, so they can do more of what they enjoy. Everyone 6 months old and older should get this season’s flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Adults ages 75 and older, adults 60-74 years old who have certain health conditions and adults age 60 and older who live in nursing homes should get an RSV vaccine if they have never been vaccinated against RSV. Pregnant people should also get an RSV vaccine to protect their babies from severe RSV disease in their first six months.
Getting vaccinated can be easy, and in many cases, it’s free. Here’s what you need to know.
Where Can You Get Vaccinated?
There are many places to get vaccines against flu and COVID-19, as well as RSV if you’re eligible. It’s OK to get all of these vaccines in one visit.
You can get vaccinated at some doctor’s offices, local health centers or most pharmacies. To find pharmacies near you, visit vaccines.gov. Your state or local health department may also be able to tell you where you can get vaccinated in your area.
Are the Vaccines Free?
If you have insurance: If you’re covered by Medicaid, or if you qualify for it, you can get the vaccines at no cost. People with Medicare (Parts B and D) or Medicare Advantage can also get the vaccines for free.
If you have private insurance through your job or your state’s marketplace, most plans fully cover the flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines through in-network doctors.
If you are uninsured: If you don’t have health coverage, your state or local health department or a local community health center may offer the flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines at no cost. Companies that make these vaccines may also offer them for free or at a lower cost through their patient assistance programs. Look for information on their websites.
To explore insurance options and affordable health plans, visit HealthCare.gov or see if you can get covered through Medicare or your state’s Medicaid program.
Get Vaccinated Now
Vaccines give you the best protection against getting very sick from flu, COVID-19 and RSV. Getting vaccinated soon means you’ll be ready for upcoming winter gatherings.
Visit cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore to learn more about the flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines. Also, you can order free COVID-19 test kits (four per household) at COVIDTests.gov. Talk to your doctor about which vaccines are right for you or visit vaccines.gov to get started today.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
United States Department of Health and Human Services
(Family Features) Four and a half years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are once again enjoying time with friends and family and doing their favorite things. However, the virus that causes COVID-19 keeps changing, so it’s still important to stay up to date on your vaccinations. Respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, are common during the fall and winter months. That’s why now is a good time to take care of yourself and your loved ones by getting the facts on the updated COVID-19 vaccines.
“As the virus changes, we are learning more and more about how to protect people from COVID-19,” said Namandjé N. Bumpus, Ph.D., principal deputy commissioner at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine means your protection is as up to date as possible.”
Here is information about this season’s COVID-19 vaccines from the Risk Less. Do More. public education campaign:
Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 lowers your chances of getting very sick or being hospitalized. Some people who get the vaccines still get sick, but vaccination can make symptoms milder. This is important if you are over age 65 or have certain health conditions. Both can put you at a higher risk for serious or long-lasting health problems, such as Long COVID or even death from COVID-19. If you do get COVID-19, ask your doctor about treatment options to reduce your risk of severe illness.
COVID-19 vaccines are regularly updated to keep up with the changing virus. The COVID-19 vaccines are updated based on the latest variants of the virus. The updated vaccines offer the best protection against the changing virus that causes COVID-19. Getting the latest vaccine boosts your immunity and lowers your risk of severe sickness.
Side effects for COVID-19 vaccines are usually mild and go away on their own in a few days. The most common side effects are soreness or redness at the injection site, headache or body aches, or fever. Severe side effects like anaphylaxis are rare, with about five adverse events per 1 million doses given.
Staying informed and getting this season’s COVID-19 vaccine – and encouraging loved ones to do the same – is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself and others this fall and winter. Knowing the facts about COVID-19 vaccinations can give you peace of mind and support a safer, healthier future for all. For more information, visit cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore or talk to your doctor.
If you think you have COVID-19, testing can help. All U.S. households are now eligible to receive four free COVID-19 test kits. Order them today at COVIDTests.gov.
The Impact of COVID-19 In Black and Hispanic Communities
For the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, people in Black and Hispanic communities were consistently more likely to get COVID-19, need medical or hospital care, and die from COVID-19 than people in other communities. That gap has narrowed over time, but this past summer, Black people were still more likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to the average across all races and ethnicities combined. Hispanic people had lower than average rates of hospitalization. For everyone, getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine offers the best protection against severe disease and hospitalization.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
United States Department of Health and Human Services
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