
Healthy Eyes 101
Eye Health Tips for High School and College Students Students face special challenges to the eyes when they are under academic performance pressure. Lack of sleep, prolonged computer use and long hours studying make for tired eyes that are dry, scratchy and achy. Prolonged computer use contributes to eye fatigue because you blink less frequently. Less blinking significantly reduces lubrication in the eye making it feel tired, scratchy and “dry” as a result. Also eyes are not

Starchy Veggies Have a Place on the Plate
Starchy vegetables such as corn and potatoes often get a bad rap because of their high carbohydrate counts, but they are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates that the body needs. It all comes down to the amount and frequency they are consumed as well as how they are prepared. When compared to other low starch vegetables, ½ cup of mashed potatoes contains 15 g carb and 100-200 calories, depending on ingredients added, whereas a ½ cup of steamed broccoli provides abou

Got Contacts? Advice for Healthy Eyes
An estimated 45 million Americans wear contact lenses. I'm one of them. They are so comfortable that I often don't remember I have them in. Keeping your contact lenses healthy is essential, even if you don't think about them on a daily basis. One study showed that almost half of those who wear contacts don’t take proper care of them. Not caring for your lenses can have serious consequences! Since 2006 there have been three outbreaks of severe eye infections related to

Healthy Eats in the Dining Hall
It's move in weekend for many college students, and for many, a return to campus dining. Weight gain is a concern for many students, but it can be hard to say no to high calorie treats. Check out these tips from Choose My Plate on being "Choosey in the Dining Hall." #HealthyHabitsLoCo #college #weight

Milk Alternatives: How Do They Stack Up?
It seems like the grocery store dairy case is getting fuller every day, not with cow’s milk, but with plant-based milk alternatives. They can be good substitutes for those who can’t tolerate dairy. The choices seem endless, but are they nutritionally complete? How do they compare to dairy? How are milk alternatives produced? You can’t milk an almond or a soybean. A milk alternative is water with dissolved or strained plant materials. It is then homogenized, and thermal t

No Time To Cook?
The lazy days of summer are waning, and kids are returning to sports practices and other evening activities. Busy schedules often get in the way of a family dinner. Instead of calling for pizza or hitting the drive-through, try these ideas for cutting mealtime prep without sacrificing time. 1) Meat always takes the longest to cook, so get a head start. Start the day by putting chicken, roast, or pork in the crockpot. It will be ready by the time you get home, and then

Mythbusters: Lactose Intolerance
Does the thought of a big glass of milk or an ice cream cone make your stomach sour? You might be lactose intolerant. It’s pretty common, with a little over 1/3 of Americans experiencing pain and discomfort after eating dairy. It’s also more prevalent in those of African, Latin, Asian, and Native American descent. Did you know, however, that if you have lactose intolerance, you don’t have to entirely avoid dairy products? Learn more in today’s edition of nutrition mythbus