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COURIER LIFE, APRIL 2-8, 2021 15
Health
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:
Nuts are nutritional powerhouses
that provide filling
protein, fiber, healthy
fats, and many different vitamins
and minerals. Nuts
can be ground at home and
made into spreads and dips.
• Popcorn: Plain, airpopped
popcorn is full of
fiber, making it a filling
snack. Without toppings
like butter, popcorn can be
low in calories.
• Fruit: Fresh fruit, frozen
fruit, fruit purees, and
dried fruit are must-haves.
Place a bowl of fresh fruit
in reach of kids so it can
be their first snacking
choice. Frozen fruit can be
transformed into simple
smoothies. Dried fruit keeps
longer, and is a great addition
to trail mixes. Cups
of applesauce can easily be
grabbed and satisfy sweet
cravings.
• Sliced vegetables: When
preparing meals, slice vegetables,
including carrots,
celery, cucumbers, and
sweet peppers. Later they
can be dunked into homemade
dips for an easy treat.
• Hummus: Speaking of
dips, hummus is filling and
tasty. Made from nutrientdense
chick peas, hummus
can be enhanced with different
flavors, from garlic
to ginger to even chocolate
for a dessert variety.
• Whole-grain chips: Opt
for whole-grain chips that
blend a variety of grains
into the mix. Avoid products
with hydrogenated oils.
Healthy snacking is possible
when families think
ahead and know what to look
for at the grocery store.
Keep healthy items on
hand for family snacking
��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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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