Pregnancy and Food Safety
As parents we all want the very best for our children. I remember when I learned that I was pregnant. I listened to all the advice from my doctor, my mother, my friends, and people who just randomly offered it. And, sometimes there would even be a segment on the news or a talk show about what you should or should not do during pregnancy. Sometimes one person would tell me one thing and then someone else would say the opposite. It was all very confusing and I wanted to be sure to listen to the right advice because I knew everything I did affected my baby, especially my food choices.
Finding a reliable source of information became very important. The news would often talk about the dangers of certain foods during pregnancy, but the reports always seem to focus on one particular food that had been reported to cause problems. There was no list of specific foods to avoid and no reference to a good source for that information. I began to look for reliable information. Both WIC and Cooperative Extension were very helpful in pointing me to resources that gave me reliable information. There is a really good resource that I want to share with you. You can find it at: http://www.foodsafety.gov/risk/pregnant/
The general guidelines for foods to avoid are listed in a brief overview, but you can also get specifics when you click on the links for each food. For instance, a general guideline is to choose seafood carefully. When you click on the link, it has a list of the specific types of fish that can be a problem. Additionally, this site has an infographic that summarizes the recommendations (see below). If you have access to a printer at home or at a school or library, you can print this out and place it on your refrigerator as an easy reminder.
-Lorelei
Tips to Move More After School
When I came home from school as a kid, I couldn’t wait to watch television before diving into that night’s homework. For me, sitting down, putting my feet up, and watching my favorite show was my favorite way to wind down from a long day at school. But that got boring after I was about an hour in. Encouraging your kids to Move More after school can help them establish exercise habits that stay with them as they grow up. An immediate benefit to them is just having something else to do when they get home from school! Here are some activities to help your kids enjoy their weeknight evenings:
- Take a Family Walk: This is a great way to get the whole family moving while also catching up on each other’s days. Does everyone get home at different times in the afternoon? Schedule the walk for after dinner! I always love a quiet evening walk.
- Simon Says-Exercise Edition: For a more active twist on a classic children’s game, try commands such as “Simon Says do a push-up” or “Simon says do five sit-ups.”
- Sports: If possible, get your kids involved in a school or community sport they enjoy. Some sports and games can be played as a family at home in the yard, such as soccer and freeze tag.
- Use Technology to Move More: Is the weather outside bad? Try finding exercise videos online or on television that children can understand and participate in. Also, there are many game systems now that have games to help you be more active-try one if it’s available to you! I still enjoy playing those games!
For more ideas, check out this website: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan/get-active/getting-active.htm . I hope you enjoy this time with your children!
Cara
Cara is an EFNEP student intern.
Healthy Times Newsletter, September 2015
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Growing up, I was not a big fan of breakfast. I would skip breakfast, make all kinds of excuses as to why I couldn’t eat breakfast, or grab something like a candy bar. I still am not a big fan of traditional breakfasts, but I know breakfast is the most important meal of the day and my body needs a healthy breakfast in order for me to function and not feel sluggish.
I have learned over the years that I don’t have to eat a traditional breakfast of bacon and eggs in the morning, and I certainly don’t want to spend an hour in front of the stove before I go to work. What I do eat at least two mornings during the week is a simple peanut butter and banana sandwich. I can fix it and eat on the run with it. It is delicious, healthy, and not messy. If you don’t like bananas, you can choose a fruit that you do like. Peanut butter goes great with just about any fruit like apples and pears.
Here is my recipe:
Ingredients
- 1⁄2 banana peeled and sliced
- 2 tablespoons of peanut butter
- 2 slices of whole-wheat or multigrain bread
Instructions
Wash your hands with soap and water, then gather all your ingredients and put them on a clean counter.
Use a dinner knife to spread most of the peanut butter on one slice of bread and a little bit on the other slice.- Arrange the banana slices over the peanut butter on one slice and top with the other slice (peanut butter side down).
- Cut the sandwich in half and serve right away.
This is a delicious, healthy and fast breakfast food. Enjoy!
Susan