10 minute read
Healthy In 2023
In Case of Emergency
Local emergency authorities in any area
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911
General listings of Crisis Numbers:
www.alabamapublichealth.gov/suicide/crisis-numbers.html
American Association of Poison Control Centers
www.poison.org
800-222-1222
Parenting Assistance Line – PAL – parenting support, etc.
www.pal.ua.edu Call 866-962-3030 or text PAL to 274448
The Crisis Center
Serving the Counties of Central Alabama Crisis/Suicide Line 24 hours/7 days
205-323-7777 Senior Talk Line
Free, confidential telephone reassurance service for senior citizens, caregivers, retirees, widowed persons, grandparents and others. www.crisiscenterbham.org
205-328-8255
Rape Response
Available 24/7 www.crisiscenterbham.org
205-323-7273
Veterans Crisis Line
Free, confidential support for veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve and family members/friends. Services for deaf and hard of hearing individuals offered. Available 24/7 Dial 988 then press 1; text 838255; chat online at https://veteranscrisisline.net
Jefferson County Recovery Resource Center
The program provides information about drug and alcohol abuse, as well as details on how to obtain help for yourself or a loved one. A list of various treatment options and available resources are also provided to callers. Available 8:30am-5pm https://recoveryresourcejeffco.com/
205-458-3377
UTalk Youth Line for Teens
205-328-5465
UTalk Youth Line
205-328-5465
HEALTHY YOU 2023 Sneaky Ways
to Get Kids to Eat Vegetables
By Sarah Lyons
As a mom of three toddlers, I understand the challenge of getting your kids to eat vegetables daily. It is recommended that kids eat three servings of vegetables per day. This may seem like quite a feat, especially if your child has declared crackers and chicken nuggets to be their main source of nutrition.
Here are some simple ways to sneak veggies into your child’s diet. Who knows? Maybe you will end up eating more vegetables too.
Hide it. With a little planning you can easily hide veggies in almost all your child’s favorite foods. Zucchini can be finely grated into spaghetti sauce, taco meat, or sloppy joes. Pureed carrots can be disguised in macaroni and cheese and cooked and mashed cauliflower can be easily hidden in mashed potatoes or potato soup.
Offer it. I received a covered vegetable tray as a gift and decided to fill it with the carrots, celery, bell peppers, and cauliflower that were just sitting in my refrigerator. I began to set the veggie tray out at mealtime and during snacks and to my pleasant surprise, my kids started to eat them. They ate so many I had to fill the tray again and again. Add some hummus, ranch or dill dip, or peanut butter and they will be even more likely to dig in. This will help cut down on the “Can I have a snack?” questions and you’ll know they are getting a nutritious option instead.
Blend it. Kids love smoothies because they are delicious and fun to eat. Vegetables like spinach and kale can be blended into smoothies or yogurt without changing the taste. Offer a fun cup to drink out of or buy your own refillable squeeze pouches or yogurt sleeves to encourage kids to drink their hidden veggie smoothies in ways that they are familiar with.
Bake it. Kids rarely turn down a sweet treat and it is easy to sneak veggies in without them even noticing. Zucchini and carrots can be baked into quick breads, muffins, cakes and cookies and you will receive little to no complaints.
Model it. Our actions speak louder than our words. When kids see parents eating veggies on a regular basis, they are more likely to do so as well. Modeling a healthy diet and exercise for your kids will help them learn to do the same.
Prepare it. Kids are much more likely to try new foods when they do the preparation themselves. Get the kids involved in the kitchen and have them choose vegetables to add to their menu. You can also try planting a garden in your own backyard. When kids grow and prepare their own food, they are much more likely to eat it because they have ownership in the project.
Don’t give up. It may seem like your kids will never break the routine of chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and crackers but don’t give up. Exposure makes them more likely to try new foods, even vegetables.
Sarah Lyons is a freelance writer and stay-at-home mom to six kids, including seven-year-old triplets.
The Resource Every Parent Needs
The Parenting Assistance Line (PAL) is a free service available to anyone who wants information and support in becoming a more confident parent or caregiver. If you have a parenting question or just need a sympathetic ear, give us a call, text or visit our website to chat online.
866-962-3030 pal.ua.edu
HEALTHY YOU 2023 Area Health Departments
Alabama Department of Public Health
201 Monroe St. Montgomery, AL 36104 General Information: 800-252-1818 Emergency Preparedness Information: 866-264-4073 www.alabamapublichealth.gov
Chilton County Health Department
301 Health Center Dr. Clanton, AL 35046 205-755-1287 www.alabamapublichealth.gov/chilton
Cullman County Health Department
Jefferson County Department of Health
Eastern Health Center 601 West Blvd. Roebuck Birmingham, AL 35206 205-588-5234 (appointments)
Western Health Center 631 Bessemer Super Hwy. Midfield, AL 35228 205-588-5234 (appointments)
Shelby County Health Department
2000 County Services Dr. Pelham, AL 35124 205-664-2470 www.alabamapublichealth.gov/shelby
St. Clair County Health Department
1175 23rd St. N. Pell City, AL 35125 205-338-3357 www.alabamapublichealth.gov/stclair
Tuscaloosa County Health Department
HEALTHY YOU 2023 AREA HOSPITALS
Children’s of Alabama
Children’s South Pediatric Outpatient Center
1940 Elmer J. Bissell Rd. Birmingham, AL 35243 205-638-4800 www.childrensal.org
UAB Hospital
UAB Women & Infants Center
UAB Medical West
UAB Highlands
UAB Callahan Eye Hospital
Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham
Ascension St. Vincent’s St. Clair
7063 Veterans Pkwy. Pell City, AL 35125 205-338-3301 https://healthcare.ascension.org
Ascension St. Vincent’s East
Ascension St. Vincent’s Blount
Ascension St. Vincent’s Chilton
2030 Lay Dam Road Clanton, AL 35045 205-258-4400 https://healthcare.ascension.org
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Shelby County
900 Oak Mountain Commons Lane Pelham, AL 35124 205-216-7600 www.encompasshealth.com
Brookwood Baptist Medical Center
2010 Brookwood Medical Center Dr. Birmingham, AL 35209 205-877-1000 www.brookwoodbaptisthealth.com
Birmingham VA Medical Center
Cooper Green Mercy Health Services
Grandview Medical Center
Shelby Baptist Medical Center
1000 First St. N. Alabaster, AL 35007 205-620-8100 www.brookwoodbaptisthealth.com
Princeton Baptist Medical Center
Walker Baptist Medical Center
3400 Hwy. 78 E. Jasper, AL 35501 205-387-4000 www.brookwoodbaptisthealth.com
Citizens Baptist Medical Center
Cullman Regional Medical Center
1912 AL Hwy. 157 Cullman, AL 35058 256-737-2000 www.cullmanregional.com
DCH Regional Medical Center
Northport Medical Center
Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center
HEALTHY YOU 2023 The Benefits of Healthy Snacking
By Sarah Lyons
Ahealthy and well-balanced diet is important for kids to maintain healthy growth and development. Snack time is a great way to incorporate fruits and vegetables into a child’s daily diet. Here are some of the benefits of healthy snacking:
Snacking helps kids develop healthy habits. Including three meals and two healthy snacks into your child’s daily diet helps kids learn healthy eating habits that will stick with them for a lifetime. Providing a well-balanced and healthy diet helps kids learn appropriate portion control, to eat (and enjoy) a variety of foods including fruits and vegetables and develop a healthy relationship with food. Kids who learn these valuable habits early are less likely to form unhealthy eating habits such as eating out of boredom or based on emotional factors. They also learn to eat when they are hungry and stop eating when they are full, a skill many adults struggle with.
Snacking gives kids the boost they need. Without snacking, kids are less likely to meet the suggested nutritional intake to maintain a healthy diet because their stomachs are smaller and become full with a smaller meal. Adding two small snacks a day that provide fruit, veggies, low fat dairy, or whole grain helps kids fill in the nutritional gaps they may have been missing from breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In addition, snacks provide a boost of energy to get kids through the rest of the day.
Snacking benefits a child’s overall health. The development of healthy eating habits at a young age decreases the likelihood of children developing diseases like cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Kids who eat more fruits and vegetables and less “junk food” that contain high quantities of sugar are also more likely to have better dental hygiene. Kids who maintain a healthy diet, including smart snack choices, are less likely to binge on foods high in calories and carbohydrates.
Snacking helps power brain development. Kids who eat healthy snacks are generally more prepared to listen and learn at school because their bellies are full. They have more energy and are more attentive in class. Hungry kids become irritable, tired, and less alert. A healthy snack can do a lot to help kids grow and develop properly.
Now, how do parents get kids to eat the fruits and vegetables their bodies need? Prepare fun snacks, which encourages kids to try new foods and may even help them to forget they are eating healthy food at all. Here are some great snacks that kids will have fun eating. » Frozen banana “ice cream.” Simply slice a banana and freeze overnight. The next day put the bananas in a blender or food processor, and the result will taste similar to ice cream.
»Apple slices. Slices of apple can be more appetizing for kids and are fun to eat. Add a side of peanut butter for dipping to make them even more appealing.
»Fruit kabobs. Create “caterpillars” out of grapes for a snack. Another way is to use cookie cutters to cut interesting shapes.
»Ants on a log. Simply fill celery with peanut butter and top with raisins.
»Dinosaur broccoli trees. To a kid, broccoli resembles a tree. Bring the dinosaur toys to the table to “share the trees.” Add ranch or blue cheese dip, or cottage cheese on the side.
»Zucchini spaghetti. Kids love spaghetti. This alternative is just as tasty as traditional spaghetti noodles.
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