Sweet Treats for Diabetics

     With so much diet information out there for diabetics it can be hard to decide what to eat when it comes to dessert time or when a sweets craving hits.

     Fortunately you can enjoy the occasional treat while also keeping your health a priority. It is all about moderation and making the right choices.

     Choosing no-sugar-added or reduced-sugar items is a better choice over the regular versions, but keep in mind these still contain some sugar, so follow the serving size on the nutrition label.

     Also keep in mind that even “sugar-free” items may still have some carbohydrates, so it’s important to follow serving sizes for these as well.
Here are some suggestions for some diabetic-friendly sweet treats:

Oh hey there, high cholesterol...

I recently went to see my primary care physician for a new patient visit, and was sent to get routine blood work done. I hadn’t had my blood drawn in about three years, and I will admit I was a little nervous, but not terribly worried about it. I certainly was not expecting a phone call a mere seven hours after getting the blood drawn --- especially not a phone call telling me that I have very high cholesterol for someone my age

Disco Can Save Lives!

Yeah, you read that correctly. Disco can save lives. Or at least, “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees can.

How? By using the beat of “Staying Alive” to maintain a steady rate of chest compressions during hands-only CPR. Don’t believe me? Check out the video after the jump:

Back to School

It’s hard to believe, but summer vacation is already ending, which means it’s time for back to school shopping!  One of the most important supplies you can buy for your child is a good backpack.  It’s the one supply they’re going to use all day, every day.  It’s really essential to get a backpack that’s good quality to avoid unnecessary strain on your child’s back.  I chatted with Heidi D’amore, a physical therapist at Total Rehab Care, to find out what to look for when you’re standing in front of a rack of packs, and how to properly use them.  A wheeled backpack is a good choice, but if your child prefers to carry their backpack, here are a few guidelines:  

Welcome to Meritus Health’s official blog!

     Thanks for taking the time to check it out! We’ve decided to start a blog as a way to get more information to our community about staying healthy. The Your Health Matters blog will be filled with information about creating a healthier life for you and your friends and family. Our hope is that our blog posts give you information you can use daily, with topics ranging from eating healthier and exercising safely to the dangers of distracted driving, how to choose a childcare facility, and how to pick a doctor.
     I’m Kayla Murphy, the blog’s primary author, and I’ll be tapping into our greatest resource-the employees here at Meritus Health to bring you the latest news and tips for staying healthy and living well. My goal for this blog is to help you connect with the resources you need, right here at home.
     We’ll be posting about twice a week, and would love to hear feedback from our readers. Feel free to leave us comments and offer suggestions for future blog posts. We look forward to this opportunity to fulfill the promise, and we’re glad you’re here with us.

By Kayla Murphy