(StatePoint)

Eating right is essential to keeping your body running at its best. But nutrition advice doesn’t always account for people’s varied lifestyles, health needs and tastes. Take some time to review your diet and make positive, sustainable changes. So what’s the “right” way to eat for you? Experts say it’s not as restrictive as you may think. “There’s sometimes a misperception that eating properly means giving up favorite foods,” says registered dietitian and President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Ethan A. Bergman. “But including foods you love in your diet can help you stick to your goals.”

As part of the “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day” campaign, Bergman suggests that those looking to eat a healthy diet, tailor food choices to meet lifestyle, needs and preferences:

• Business People: Busy work days can lead to on-the-fly meals. For desktop dining, keep single-serve packages of crackers, fruit, peanut butter, low-sodium soup or canned tuna in your desk. Always on the go? Tuck portable, nonperishable foods in your bag for meals on the run. Try granola bars, peanut butter and crackers, fresh fruit, trail mix or single-serve packages of whole-grain cereal or crackers.

• Athletes: Whether you’re a competitive athlete or just enjoy working out, what you eat affects your performance. Eat a light meal or snack before exercising, such as low-fat yogurt, a banana or cereal with low-fat milk. Before, during and after exercise, drink plenty of water or a sports drink, if you prefer.

• Students: For nutritional, budget-friendly snacking, combine protein and carbohydrates, such as apples and peanut butter, low-fat cheese and whole-grain crackers or hardboiled eggs and fruit. These also double as quick grab-and-go breakfasts. At the cafeteria, salad bars are a great choice -- just go easy on the high-calorie add-ons.

• Families: Family meals allow parents to be role models to ensure kids eat right. And, just because a meal is made quickly doesn’t mean it can’t be nutritious. Keep things simple. Choose ingredients you can use for more than one meal. For example, cook extra grilled chicken for salad or fajitas the next day. Get the kids involved. They can make the salad, set the table or do other simple tasks.

• Vegetarians: A vegetarian diet can include just as much variety as one including meat. For example, nutrient-rich beans are a great choice. Enjoy vegetarian chili, a hummus-filled pita sandwich or veggie burger. Many popular items are or can be vegetarian -- pasta primavera, veggie pizza and tofu-vegetable stir-fry.

• Meat lovers: Keep your meaty meals heart-healthy by selecting lean cuts and choosing chicken, turkey and fish more often. Avoid deep fried foods. Instead, bake, broil, roast, stew or stir-fry your meals.

Set yourself up for success. Consider working with a registered dietitian to develop a personalized eating plan. More tips can be found at www.EatRight.org.  Remember, good nutrition isn’t meant to make you suffer. With exercise and moderation, you can enjoy your favorite foods regularly.

(StatePoint)

Unfortunately, beautiful flowers and warm weather can also mean itchy, watery eyes, sneezing fits and nasal congestion. These days, pollen from plants and flowers typically are released earlier in the year than in the past, causing longer allergy seasons according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, which noted that 2012 was one of the worst such seasons on record. While there is no cure-all for seasonal allergies, popular over-the-counter (OTC) medications can provide relief for the most common symptoms.

These guidelines can help you better manage your seasonal allergies:

Season for Sneezing

Popular OTC antihistamines can provide relief from sneezing, runny noses and irritated, watery eyes by blocking the action of histamine, a chemical in the body that triggers congestion and upper respiratory discomfort.

All Stuffed Up?

Decongestants like pseudoephedrine (PSE) relieve a stuffy nose by actually narrowing the blood vessels in nasal passages so you can breathe more easily. PSEs are now located behind the pharmacy counter because they are an ingredient that can be used to make the illegal drug methamphetamine (meth). Rest assured though, PSE has been safely used for decades. If you’re congested, consider treating your symptoms and doing your part to keep your community safer at the same time. Ask your pharmacist about new Nexafed 30mg pseudoephedrine HCl tablets, the next-generation PSE that provides the same effective relief from nasal congestion as standard PSEs, but with technology that disrupts the extraction and conversion of pseudoephedrine into meth.

Itchy, Watery Eyes

Over-the-counter eye drops that are specifically designed to treat allergy symptoms can be found in any drug store and can be very effective at reliving redness and washing away allergens. Also consider using an air purifier or humidifier in your house to help clear the air of possible irritants.

Eat for Allergy Relief

According to experts, certain foods you may already be enjoying have allergy-fighting properties. For example, quercetin, found in oranges, broccoli and sweet potatoes, can help reduce your body’s reaction to pollen. Or, try loading up on salmon and walnuts, as omega-3 fatty acids are thought to alleviate itchy eyes and a runny nose.

If you have questions or doubts about which medications may be best for you, talk with your pharmacist. And if symptoms worsen or last for more than two weeks, be sure to see your doctor. Rest assured, relief for seasonal allergy symptoms does exist! Visit your local drugstore or the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s website for more information on how to treat seasonal allergies. You can check the daily pollen level in your area at National Allergy Bureau online.  There’s no reason to miss out on the warm weather and all fun outdoor activities this time of year has to offer.

(StatePoint)

Prostate cancer, the most common non-skin cancer in America, affects one in six men.

Knowing your risk can help you get diagnosed more quickly:

• Age: Although only one in 10,000 men under 40 will be diagnosed, the rate shoots up to one in 38 for ages 40 to 59, and one in 15 for ages 60 to 69.

• Race: African-American men are the most likely to develop prostate cancer. Asian men living in Asia are the least likely. 

• Genetics: Men with a family history of prostate cancer are more likely to develop the disease.

For more information on risk factors and healthy living tips that may help to decrease your chance of developing prostate cancer, please visit www.PCF.org.