Quit-smoking basics
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Learn to say no and enjoy the holidays
The holidays can be a stressful time, with many additional events and obligations. Choose your commitments wisely. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and family will understand if you can't participate in every activity. If it's not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.
What are added sugars?
Beverages such as soda and fruit drinks are a major source of added sugar in the U.S. diet. Added sugars contribute calories but no essential nutrients to your diet. Dietary guidelines recommend limiting added sugars to less than 10 percent of total calories. That's 200 calories for a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet. Consider that a 12-ounce can of soda has upwards of 100 calories from added sugars.
Eat more of these key nutrients
The typical American diet is low in fiber, vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium. For this reason, they're listed on the Nutrition Facts label to encourage Americans to choose foods rich in these important nutrients.
Don't go cuckoo for coconut water
Coconut water is the clear fluid inside coconuts. Because it has natural electrolytes, such as potassium, sodium and manganese, it's popular for rehydration after exercise. But coconut water isn't calorie-free, which means plain water is still the smart choice for a post-workout drink.
Is sea salt healthier than table salt?
Despite the fact that sea salt is often promoted as being a healthier type of salt, it has the same basic nutritional value as table salt. In fact, sea salt and table salt contain comparable amounts of sodium by weight. The main differences between sea salt and table salt are in their taste, texture and processing. Whichever type of salt you enjoy, do so in moderation. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting sodium to less than 2,300 milligrams a day.
Juicing is no substitute for whole foods
Juicing fresh fruits and vegetables produces a liquid that contains most of the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients found in the whole fruit or vegetable. However, healthy fiber is lost during most juicing. So be sure your diet also includes a variety of whole fruits and vegetables.
The power of positive thinking
Negative thoughts can feed pessimism and create unnecessary stress. You can learn to turn negative thoughts into positive ones. The process is simple, but it takes time and practice. Start by following one simple rule: Don't say anything to yourself that you wouldn't say to anyone else. Throughout the day, stop and evaluate what you're thinking. If a negative thought enters your mind, evaluate it rationally and respond with affirmations of what is good about you.
Winter doesn't mean you can sideline the sunscreen
It's as easy to get sunburned in winter as in summer. Snow reflects the sun's rays, so sunburn is possible even if you're cold. When you're outdoors in the winter, wear sunscreen on any exposed areas. Use lip balm that contains sunscreen, too.
Do you have a living will?
Life-threatening situations can happen to anyone, so it's important to have a living will or other advance directive. These documents spell out your preferences regarding medical treatments you would or would not want to keep you alive. You can also outline your preferences for other medical decisions, such as pain management or organ donation. By planning ahead, you can get the medical care you want and save your family from having to make tough decisions in a crisis.
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