Sure, everyone instinctively knows that watching hours of TV most likely isn’t too healthy for you. But exactly how bad is it? Well, there’s some interesting research, for both kids and adults, that may stir up some interesting family discussions — hopefully not over a TV dinner.… Read the rest
Monthly Archives: April 2011
Veggies Are Healthy — Depending on How You Prepare Them…
It’s pretty obvious to everyone that fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet. But do you know exactly how much nutrition is lost from peeling? How about boiling versus stir-fry? You can find most the the answers in yet another very useful study from the Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety, this time reviewing asian fruits and vegetables (Centre for Food Safety – Risk Assessment Studies – Nutrient Values of Fruit and Vegetables) I think it’s a great, readable PDF for all to print out and share with colleagues and family.… Read the rest
Chicken Soup: Can It Really Fight A Cold?
So was your mother actually correct in telling you to finish your chicken soup because it’s good for you? Perhaps.
Chicken soup has been considered an aid to the common cold and flu for centuries, by many cultures. In 2001 an interesting research paper (link at bottom of post) showed that chicken soup actually slowed down neutrophil activity and movements in test tubes.… Read the rest
Health Websites: Which Do You Trust? Here Are Mine…
Which websites do you turn to for health information? There are literally thousands of sites offering advice, but a huge proportion of them are either trying to sell you something or simply don’t provide evidence-based recommendations. So here are my favorite websites for parents to find the best health advice for their family.… Read the rest
Coughing: What Medicines Work?
A cough is one of the most annoying symptoms of the common cold, and OTC cough syrups are one of the most popular purchases in pharmacies. But which ones really work?
No Combos For Children Under Four
Recent reviews have consistently shown that, unfortunately, there is no major evidence that any common OTC products help well for a cough.… Read the rest
"Five Servings" Of Fruits & Veggies: Did Anyone Really Get It?
Everyone always hears that you need multiple servings of fruits and vegetables for a healthy diet. I remember the older food pyramid in the U.S. recommending 5 servings a day; a couple years ago that increased to 8-9 servings per day.… Read the rest