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20 COURIER LIFE, APRIL 2-8, 2021
Keep healthy items on
hand for family snacking
Who hasn’t been spending more
time at home lately? Many families
have perfected the balance
of managing a household in which
kids may be engaged in virtual learning
while Mom and Dad are putting
in a full day’s work from the home offi
ce. At several points during the day,
families need to recharge. Having nutritious
snacking choices on hand can
tame hunger in a healthy way.
Plan and shop
Start with a plan and then head to
the store with a shopping list in hand.
You will be less likely to purchase unhealthy
options on impulse if you stick
to a shopping list.
Balance prepackaged and
homemade
Homemade snacks are advantageous
because you can customize ingredients
to account for allergies or
other needs. But commercially produced
snacks are very convenient because
they’re ready to eat right out of
the package. According to Good Housekeeping,
many food manufacturers
have been stepping up their games and
offering tasty and healthy nonperishable
foods. Just be sure to read labels,
paying attention to sodium and sugar
content and other pertinent nutritional
information.
When choosing snacks, pick a few
different options that appeal to savory,
salty and sweet cravings. Portion out
these snacks so the temptation for
overindulgence is limited.
Choose among the healthiest
options
Stock the pantry and refrigerator
with an array of healthy snacking options.
• Nuts and their butters
• Popcorn
• Fruit
• Sliced vegetables
• Hummus
• Whole-grain chips
Healthy snacking is possible when
families think ahead and know what
to look for at the grocery store.
— Metro Creative Connection
Health
olorectal cancer is the
third most prevalent
and lethal cancer for
both men and women in the
United States. Most cases of
colorectal cancer are found
in people 50 and over. But
there has been a sharp increase
of colorectal cancer
in adults as young as their
20s and 30s, with the proportion
of cases found in adults
under 50 increasing to 11 percent
in 2013, up from 6 percent
in 1990, according to the
American Cancer Society.
“The myth that colon cancer
is an old person’s disease
must be dispelled, as the
increasing rate of colorectal
cancer among younger
adults is now proven.” said
Dr. Megha Kothari, gastroenterologist
and Director of
Women’s Health at NewYork-
Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist
Hospital, located in
Park Slope. “Physicians and
researchers are still working
to figure out the root cause of
this alarming increase, but
what we do know for sure is
that regular cancer screenings
and healthy lifestyle
habits can go a long way in
lowering one’s risk.”
In honor of Colorectal
Cancer Awareness Month in
March, Dr. Kothari shared
recommendations to encourage
and educate individuals,
especially younger adults
and African Americans (who
have heightened risk for
colorectal cancer), to make
their colon health a priority
and practice healthier lifestyle
habits.
Dr. Kothari advises:
Colon cancer often has
no symptoms in its earliest
stages. However, there are
some red flags you can be
on the lookout for, including,
changes in bowel habits
for more than a few days
(constipation, diarrhea or incontinence),
rectal bleeding,
traces of blood in the stool,
abdominal pain or cramping,
weakness, fatigue, decreased
appetite and unexplained
weight loss.
If you experience any of
these symptoms, don’t ignore
the signs, schedule an appointment
with your doctor.
Risk factors for colorectal
cancer include age as well as
lifestyle habits.
A diet high in red meat
and low in fruits, vegetables,
and whole grains, as well as
obesity, tobacco, and heavy
alcohol use, are all predisposed
to developing the disease.
A sedentary lifestyle as
well as having inflammatory
bowel disease may also put
you at greater risk.
An estimated 5% to 10%
percent of colon cancers occur
as a direct result of heredity,
which means it is crucial
to understand your family
health history.
If you have a first-degree
relative (parent, sibling or
child) with a history of colon
cancer or adenomatous polyps,
you should begin screening
at least 10 years prior
to the youngest family incidence.
Colon cancer is one of the
most preventable types of
cancers. Exercise regularly,
eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet
that is rich in fruits, vegetables,
whole grains and
lean protein, and maintain
a healthy weight. Limit your
alcohol intake, and do not
smoke or use tobacco products.
Talk openly with your
doctor about any health concerns
or worrisome digestive
symptoms, and ask about the
best age to begin colon cancer
screening.
Colon cancer screening
saves lives! Most people need
to start their screening at
age 45, or earlier if they have
risk factors. There are different
types of colorectal cancer
screening tests available,
in addition to a colonoscopy,
there are stool based test that
can be done at home.
For more information on
colon cancer screenings, prevention
and care at NewYork-
Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist
Hospital please visit:
https://www.nyp.org/brooklyn/
digestive-and-liver-disorders/
colorectal-cancer/screening
and-prevention
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