Health & Recipe
W
hen thinking about health issues in the
movement or exercise videos from the internet for the
United States, one might believe that
office. The best way to maintain being physically active is
the number of people diagnosed with
to do something you enjoy!
a disease would be low considering our
resources. Here in eastern North Carolina, the leading
#3: Maintain energy with a healthier body weight
causes of death are attributed to chronic disease. Some
Maintaining a healthy body weight can help us avoid
of the most prevalent include heart disease, cancer and
chronic conditions in the future. Research shows that if
diabetes. The good news is there is something we can do
you are overweight, gradual and steady weight loss of 1 to 2
about it! With this in mind, these are some of the ways we
pounds a week can produce health benefits. Sometimes, it
can take charge.
can be challenging to maintain a healthy weight. We may often find ourselves making healthy choices some days
#1: Fuel your body with fruits and vegetables
and others not so much. Don’t consider it a failure, but
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
instead, look for the opportunity to make your next choice
only 1 out of 10 Americans consume enough fruits and
a healthy one, and a couple more after that!
vegetables each day. Filling half of our plate with these powerhouse foods will fuel our body with the nutrients it
Overall, taking charge and making small lifestyle changes
needs to properly function. Varying fruits and non-starchy
can help prevent chronic disease in the future!
vegetable intake can help us get the variety that we need. They are full of Vitamin A, C and E and provide protection
References:
for our bodies and immune system. In addition, fruits and
www.cdc.gov • www.myplate.gov
vegetables provide fiber, which helps maintain good gut function and may prevent some cancers. Some examples include berries, grapes, apples, leafy greens, broccoli and
Lauren Butler is a dietetic
cauliflower. Remember, the more colorful, the better!
intern from Marywood University and is currently
#2: Recharge with physical activity
completing her internship
Physical activity is necessary to lead a healthy life. The
at the Pitt County Health
CDC recommends getting at least 30 minutes per day
Department. Lauren lives in
of moderate physical activity for adults and 60 minutes
eastern North Carolina and
per day for children. This can easily be broken down into
received her undergraduate
increments of 10-15 minutes. Exercise does not have to
degree from East Carolina
be intense, it can be as simple as walking briskly each
University in 2019.
day, riding your bike or dancing. Another idea is to use
www.reflector.com/her
Her Magazine — October 2021
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