Magazine Article Review: 5 Myths Behind Recent Food Headlines

 5 Myths Behind Recent Food Headlines, Prevention, October 2025, 18-23.

This is a short article, using myths to provide up to date information about nutrition.

1. Eating red meat is a direct route to dementia.  The truth is not red meat, but processed red meat is the culprit.  This includes hot dogs, salami, sausage, bologna and bacon.  Diets high in fat and sodium are worse for the brain.  This describes processed meat.  People who eat more than half a hot dog, half a slice of bacon etc have lower brain functioning on average.  As for red meat no evidence it effects brain functioning, but they are high in saturated fats and should be eaten sparingly.

2. You should avoid all processed foods.  Processed food would include yogurt, eve sugar free caned vegetables and canned fish which can be part of a healthy diet.  Ultra processed foods however should be avoided.  These are foods with ingredients not found in nature.  You should choose foods you can make at home, otherwise they may have chemicals and lead to cancer, diabetes and other ailments.

3. Seed oils up your risk for diabetes, obesity, and other diseases.  These oils contain omega-6 fatty acids, which if used in excess can cause inflammation.  However they also have health benefits such as better heart health, lower risk of cancer and lower risk of diabetes.  Polyunsaturated fats play a vital role in the structure of cells.  Used in moderation there should be no ill effects.

4. Your favorite chocolate is full of harmful metals.  Yes chocolate has been shown to contain metals such as lead.  This is because the plant attracts these from the soil.  However there is not enough metal or lead in chocolate to cause any real concern. A health dose of chocolate daily is about one ounce.

5. Bananas should never be used in smoothies.  A study with only 8 subjects showed that combining bananas with fruits high in anti-oxidants (flavonoids) such as berries, the the flavonoids do not digest as well.  The study is too small to detrmine anything, and even if it is true eating more berries at other times will. oungteract any bad effcts.  Bananas are rich in potassium which is good for your heart and blood pressure.  

Magazine Article Review: Eating Season: And if You're on a GLP-1 Medication Holiday Feasts Might Mean more Side Effects

 Eating Season: And if You're on a GLP-1 Medication Holiday Feasts Might Mean more Side Effects, Karen Ansel, M.S., R.D.N., Prevention, November 2025, pp 48-55, Hearst Magazine International, New York.

I have been taking an injectable for diabetes for about ten years nw, starting with Victoza when I still lived in San Jose.  Due to insurance I was switched to Trulicity.  Now for the past few months I have been taking Monjauro.  Victoza was a daily shot while Trulicity and Monjaro are weekly.  This article talks about how to prevent or lessen side effects, particularly heartburn and upset stomach.  \However long-term use of the medication is sketchy.  This is due to the cost of the medication, but also the side effects, particularly nausea and vomiting.

They give seven ideas: 1. Eat smaller but more frequesnt meals.  Because the digestive system is slowed, food stays in the digestive system for a longer time.  This can result in nausea, bloating, heartburn and stomach pain.  Three mini meals and two snacks is recommended.  However they must be packed with nutrition as you eat less overall.  2. Prioritize protein.  Proteins supply the enzymes your body needs.  It is important to eat proteins first in your meal so you get them before you fill up.  Exanples are almonds, an egg, nut butter, cooked chickpeas, lentils or beans, lean beef, portk or chicken, fich or shrimp.  Low-fat dairy can also provide protein. 3. Go lighter on fat.  Eating too much fat can slow down digestion and lead to heartburn.  However healthy fats should not be avoided, such as avocado, olive or canola oil, peanut and almond butter, nuts and seeds.  Meat that is grilled or broiled is better than deep fried.  4. Consider other Gut issues.  Some food may especially cause problems.  For example chili powder or Cajun spices may be an issues.  Garlic and curry may also cause problems.  Some vegetables may cause gas or bloating.  With this regards best to experiment and see what does or doesn't work for you.  5.  Don't cut all carbs.  Carbs are an important energy source.  Especially good to include high fiber foods.  Avoid sugary sodas and lemonades.  6.  Be strategic with fiber.  Fiber digests more slowly so can help prevent sugar spikes.  It can also keep the digestive flow regular.  for some people it can cause diahrea so should be eaen carefully.  8. Drink up.  Water intake is important, expecially if you are eating lots of fiber.  With GLP-1s dfrinking lots of water is vital.  two to three liters of water a day are recommended, that is 80 to 100 ounces.  

Updated Post: Ten ideas for fitness from Everyday Health

 http://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-fitness-pictures/10-everyday-tips-for-diet-and-fitness.aspx?pos=1&xid=nl_EverydayHealthManagingDiabetes_20140524#/slide-1

Ten ideas for fitness (I am not very fit but would like to be) from Everyday Health.  I originally wrote this in 2014 and it is time to return
1) Exercise at the right time of day for you.  I am not sure when that would be.  One thing I noticed just Friday.  When I walk to the light rail station after work (about a mile) rather than take the bus, my blood sugar is 20 points lower in the evening.  However other than that, It is hard to squeeze in exercise.  However, I should take an after dinner walk.  Two times around the park would be about another mile, and maybe that would put me over the top.

I am now retired and don't walk to the light rail.  My blood sugar is generally under control.  This is due mostly to medication rather than my exercising and eating better.  I exercise rarely due to sciatica.  However most of the time it doesn't bother me, yet I still don't exercise.  It is a habit I got when the sciatica was worse.
2) Develop a fitness plan.  This section suggests someone at a gym, or a personal trainer.  However, I have never done that.  The key here is knowing your aim, your goal for fitness.  I have my very clearly in my mind, to get below 200 lbs.  However, the steps are lacking.

I did go to the gym and develop a fitness plan with lots of stretches for locked shoulder and sciatica.  However I have not been to the gym for a couple years and is something I need to correct.  The ony days I get lots of steps is when I go to the temple all day.
3) Find a favorite exercise.  My favorite is basketball.  However I have not played much since developing locked shoulder.  However it is probably time to take it up again.  The issue, just shooting does not make you work very hard.

We have a hoop outside, yet I don't even go out to shoot.
4) Vary your exercise.  It suggests aerobic one day, then weight training then Pilates or Yoga, and then a day off.  I could handle that, with slow walking daily, but more than two days a week maybe.  However I need to find some method of strength training.  Instead of Yoga or Pilates, I could do stretching.  My mobility is so poor I need to do something.

Physical therapist suggested stretches which I do if I start feeling a twinge in my sciatica.  Physical therapist also suggested exercises for sgtrengthening the core, which I don't do but need to do.
5) Exercise with a friend.  Miranda walked with me a couple times, and maybe she could be a walking partner again.

 I often suggest walking in the evening but no one goes so I don't either.  
6) Enjoy easy snacks.  By this they want you to avoid processed snacks, but fruit, nuts, yogurt or turkey are recommended items I like. 

I am conscious of this but my snack too often include cookies and ice cream.  I also include nuts on occasion.
7) Factor in fluids.  Especially water.  Avoid caffeine.  Watered down Gatorade is OK if you need to replace electrolytes.

I am good at drinking water.  Two water bottles full a day.
8) Skip the soda.  Soda is bad.  Bad for you teeth, your bones, your insides and your out.  Even diet soda is bad.  I have a root beer occasionally, but don't usually drink soda. 

I usually have water, sometimes I add a sugar free flavor packet.
9) Cook more than you eat.  Having leftovers the next day will help avoid fast food, to come home to something you can just pop in the micro wave but is nutritious and delicious.

I am the best in the family at eating leftovers.
10) Get active after eating.  A light workout is recommended.  Since I eat late, this goes in with the walking around the park.

Currently I do not exercise after eating.  This is a place for change.

Eggs for Diabetics

I have been visiting the diabetic nurse lately.  She chided me on how many carbohydrates I put in my breakfast, and suggested an egg or two for protein.  It is so easy to get into the carb habit for breakfast--cake, breakfast roll or cereal with milk.  There are better choices.  I found an article about the benefits of eggs, "8 Egg-cellent facts about eggs."
1. Eggs can be hearth healthy.  The big issue has been egg yolks, which hide a lot of cholesterol.  However dietary cholesterol generally does not cross over, and egg yolks have healthy nutrients.  No cholesterol in egg whites.
2. Eggs are a weight-loss super food.  Eggs are high in protein and low in  calories.  Consequently they can curb hunger with just a few calories.  Plus you can add vegetables to a scrambled egg for more nutrients.
3. Eggs are nutrient-rich.  Consider the vitamins in an egg.  The are a good source of zinc and vitamin A.  For a vegetarian who eats eggs they provide vitamin B12.
4. Egg size and color come to the chicken.  In other words there are varieties, but no real different in the actual egg.  Color and size have to do with color and size of the chicken laying the egg.
5. Dyed Easter Eggs is an ancient tradition.  People have been dying eggs for centuries.  These eggs are part of Jewish and Easter traditions.  Dyed eggs are safe to eat if they have been refrigerated.
6. Egg substitutes are healthy too.  These are usually egg whites with added color.
7. Are raw eggs safe to eat?  The risk with raw eggs is the threat of Salmonella which is a food born illness.  There is no loss in nutrients in cooking an egg, so no health benefit in eating raw eggs.  If speed is a question throw the egg in a mug and microwave for a minute.
8. The healthiest way to eat eggs.  There is really no difference in the egg with the type of preparation, other than some methods add calories.  Boiling and poached eggs do not add calories.  Another suggestion is using spray oil which adds minimal calories.
My issue with eggs is the rush I have in the mornings.  Consequently I usually boil a few eggs and then keep them in the fridge.  However the idea of cooking an egg in the microwave I need to try.

Article Review: Protect Your Brain

I found this article of all places, the Scouting magazine, November-December 2017.  By protecting you brain they are talking of doing things to help slow or prevent brain and memory issues as you age.  We all forget things sometimes.  In this case however they are referring to more serious issues.  Keeping your brain in such as state that it can grow and "rewire" is important as we age.  Mental exercise,  good diet, on positive lifestyle will help in this effort.  This article gives nine suggestions.  I present them with my self-review in each area.
Loss some weight:  Having a lot of belly fat, may indicate inflammation of other cells, including brain cells.  Less waist means less degeneration of the brain.
I have been overweight, "grossly obese" most of my adult life.  However, this past month I have lost five pounds!   Ten more to go to reach my first goal.  However with that being said I weigh less now than I have since moving to Cupertino fifteen years ago. 
Feed your neurons: Neurons are fed with better blood flow.  It is important to control blood pressure as well as sugar levels to improve the flow of blood to your brain.  I good way to accomplish this is through cardiovascular activity; 15 to 10 minutes minimum daily.
As for my part, being a commuter, I do this easily when I go to work.  It is those days in between that I have problems.  I walk plenty when I play Pokemon.  However this is slow walking and I wonder if it has as much benefit.
Lower your blood pressure: High blood pressure effects the blood flow and nutrients getting to your brain.  This can be critical as you age.
My blood pressure is well controlled at this time with medication.
Order the salmon...: Eating fish that is high in Omega-3 fatty acids (salmon tuna and others) is important to brain health.  People who eat three servings of fatty fish weekly have 40 percent less chance of developing Alzheimer's.  Other foods high in Omega-3 are walnuts and flaxseed.
I could use more fish in my diet.  I have walnuts at work, but do not eat them as regularly as I should.  Fish is a rare treat for me.  Somehow it has to be a more regular part of my diet.
...With a Side of Spinach:  Green vegetables are the key, as they are high in Vitamin K.  Two servings per day leads to a cognitively younger mind.
I can't say I eat a lot of leafy green vegetables.  My lettuce is usually iceberg or Romaine.  I need to make some improvements here.
Go blueberry picking:  Blueberries contain an antioxidant important with brain power.
I don't care for blueberries.  Fortunately this article also mentions strawberries which I love.  I also love raspberries.
Do Puzzles: Doing puzzles might help reduce the chances of contracting Alzheimer's.  Especially crosswords and Sudoku.
I am not into crosswords, but I do play Sudoko on the train at times.  I also play Free Cell solitaire, but I don't know if that helps or not.
Be Like Popeye:  Love Olive, in this case olive oil.  Extra virgin olive oil contains anti-oxidants.  Four tablespoons a day recommended.
I usually use dairy butter; but a change may be in order.
Make friends: Many friends improves performance on cognitive test given to the elderly.  I do not think this is casual Facebook friends, but friends with whom you mingle and associate.  ( I am better with Facebook.)  The positive effects are more evident in the areas where knowledge, language and factual information are stored.
I need to get out more that is for sure.

New Apps for Fitness and Walking

I have been stuck on the same weight for at least six years now--of course I go up and then come back down, and pretty much ride a treadmill.  I have added two apps to my phone to help me break through this cycle.  These apps are MyFitnessPal and MapMy Walk.  They can work together so the exercise you do with MapMyWalk will come over to the other program.  This program gives you a calorie count based on you loss goals.  The recommend a rate of one pound loss per week.  It is a place to record what you eat.  It will use barcodes to make it easier.  I have been working on losing about 20 pounds for some time.  Since changing to using these apps, I have been able to get down about five pounds, and it is not coming back.  I just need to continue the downward spiral.  I should be able to accomplish the long term goal I have sometime in January. 

When I met with the butt doctor he said I needed to loss.  He further said you can't loss if you don't track what you eat.  And he also said sometimes you will be hungry.  When I follow these rules, I feel good and I can be successful.

Pamphlet: How to Eat Healthy

This pamphlet from Krames Fast Guides promotes the My Plate method of eating.  This is the current dietary standard promoted by the government.

Other ideas I gleaned for healthy eating, Drink water throughout the day, don't skip breakfast, wait 10 to 15 minutes before reaching for seconds, you don't have to clean your plate, reduce salt, lower your sugars, decrease calorie intake while increasing exercise for weight loss.  store food properly and check the labels.  Leftovers should be in the fridge within two hours after the meal.  Check expiration dates.  Avoid dented or rusted jars and cans.  Wash lots while cooking to avoid cross contamination.

Foods that Help Fight Diabetes from Everyday Health

This article from Everyday Health promotes six foods to fight diabetes or prevent diabetes.  These foods are:

Cherries; I like cherries, but don't buy them very often because of the cost.  Maybe that will have to change.  Studies have found a significant difference with frozen cherries, and the benefits will be greater with fresh.

Black beans;  I love black beans and I select them whenever I get a chance, but maybe that is not often enough.  They are especially good with a little parmesan.

Boysenberries; Again I like Black and Boysenberries, (I am not sure of the difference) however they are so darn expensive.  Sometimes you can find them at a park and then I really enjoy.

Blueberries; Here I have a problem, I just don't care for blueberries.  I would much prefer strawberries or raspberries.

Sweet potatoes; Here the issue is the type of sweet potato.  I really like the kind we had in Argentina, which are nothing like yams.  I need to keep my eye out, because if I could replace regular potatoes with sweet potatoes every once in a while, I am sure it would help a great deal.

Blue corn; Here I have the biggest problem yet.  I am not sure where you would get blue corn.  However, I guess this makes an adventure.  Because it is grown in Mexico and the Southwest, I think I will start with some Mexican super markets.

The New American Plate

I must admit, this plate does not look very appetizing to me.  I am more a fruit kind of guy than broccoli and squash.  However meat and rice is good.  I love watermelon, and berries, and green beans and peas.

Legumes and whole grains 

There you have it, the new American diet as presented by the American Cancer Society.  The most important thing here is to control your portion sizes.  And you can never forget about exercise.  In fact how active you are should determine your portions.

**Are Bananas Good for You

I have seen a lot of advertisements that imply bananas are not good for you.  They have a picture of a banana saying what are the worse foods for you.  When you click on them they want to play a movie, and then don't want you to leave their website.  So I don't know what they actually say.  However this article from "Eat This, Not That!" definitely says bananas are good for you.  Now as a diabetic, I know bananas have lots of carbohydrates, two servings worth in a medium size banana--or in other words half of your carb allowance for a meal.  This article admits this, but focuses on the strengths of the banana:
1. Magnesium in bananas helps you become leaner and have more muscle mass.
2. Potassium in bananas helps your muscles recover faster from exercise.
3. Folate from bananas helps with mood control so you are likely to be happier.
4. Tryptophan from  bananas helps with serotonin usage in the body.  Serotonin is a natural antidepressant which also helps with anxiety,  irritability, agitation, anger and aggression.
5. Tryptophan also help melatonin which is a natural sleep aid.
6. Bananas help fight bloating by supplying bloat-fighting bacteria in the stomach and also supply potassium which reduces fluid retention.
7. Because a banana has 12 mg of choline they help to fight fat and encourage flat burning.
8. Bananas can encourage sugar control.  However they should be eaten with proteins and helathy fat to slow the absorption of the sugar from a banana into your blood stream.
9. By eating a banana for a snack between meals will result in less cravings.
10. Underripe bananas can make you feel fuller because they contain resistant starch.  Because the banana is underripe it may be a bit bitter, but great to add to a smoothie.
11. Phytosterols in bananas can lower cholesterol.
12. Prebiotics in bananas act as good bacteria for easier digestion.  Also the fructose molecules help with digestion.
13. High fiber in bananas helps you be more regular.
14. The prebiotic fructooligosaccharides (number 12) help with calcium absorption.
15. Bananas provide lots of energy with glucose.
16. Although they do not contain vitamin A they help with vitamin A absorption.
17. Delphinidin in bananas is an antioxidant that helps to fight cancer.
18. Bananas are low in sodium and high in potassium which lowers blood pressure.
19. Bananas contain iron which helps with blood.
20. Bananas can help with eye sight with antioxidants as well as vitamin A support and vitamin C.
21. Pectin in bananas is a natural way to detoxify.  They can help clean many unwanted chemicals from our bodies.
I must admit, I do not care for bananas when they are underripe, but I do love bananas for the most part.  I have been worried about eating them, but this article explains their helpful benefits.

**Weight Loss Saboteurs

This is a list from Everyday Health of things which can sabotage weight loss.  Some of these things you would not suspect, while others make sense. 
Love of Late Night Television: Now here I have a problem.  I don't stay up late on week days, but I do on the weekend.  I don't watch television however.  I watch movies, or once in a while I get working on a project.  However the snack craving can sometimes hit on this nights.  The advise from this list is to tend towards healthy snacks, which is easier said than done.
Traveling for Work: I thought I was sunk, as I travel five hours daily.  But they are talking more about business travel, where you are away from home, and prone to eat at unhealthy restaurants, or snack as you travel by car.  I don't travel for work, but when I travel for visiting this is something to be concerned with as those gas station foods can pack on the calories fast. 
A Cardio Obsession: I have no worries here.  However the reason for this is because too much cardio breaks down muscle, not fat.  They suggest a combination exercise, one minute cardio ad then a minute at a slower pace, like running sprints between walks. 
Blasting the Air Conditioner: If we are forced to use mechanisms of our body to cool down, then we burn calories and can better control our weight.  Also a cooler environment seems to encourage you to eat more.  (Actually the opposite is what the say, we eat less when we are hot.)  I think resorting to a salad on hot days, or something very light, are defenses against heat.
A Jam Packed Fridge: An overloaded fridge not only leads to spoilage of food, it also seems to hide foods.  The vegetables in the cooler seem to be forgotten and we grab the easy fattening foods.
A Daily Diet Soda Habit: This one seems weird.  Diet sodas save calories.  However research shows those with the diet soda habit gain more weight.  Perhaps the reason is you later satisfy the sugar craving with other snacks.  I for the most part avoid sodas, except when I get the craving for rootbeer.
Constantly Multitasking:  This one also is a paradox.  You would think being more busy would lead to more calorie burn.  However it does lead to less thought taking towards our diet, and more ikely to choose unhealthy foods which put on weight.  Also exercise is one of the tasks that often is thrown out when people are busy.

**Snacks that Lower Cholesterol

http://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-specialist/cholesterol-snacks.aspx?pos=1&xid=nl_EverydayHealthDietandNutrition_20140709
This is an article from Everyday Health.  For the most part, these are pretty common snacks.  Each has its own method of helping lower cholesterol.  Apples have plenty of antioxidants; but the good stuff is in the peel, so eat the peel.
Nuts and seeds, particularly sunflower seed, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds, almonds, and pine nuts.  But don't overdo if you are trying to lose weight.   One ounce per day.
Oat Bran.  It is true what the boxes of Cheerios and Quaker say, these are heart healthy snacks.  Some how, oatmeal can block the absorption of cholesterol in you stomach.
Finally grapefruit is good for lowering cholesterol.  Just be careful as grapefruit can hinder the absorption of some medicines.

**Eight Kitchen Gadgets that Help Cut Weight

http://www.everydayhealth.com/weight-loss-pictures/kitchen-gadgets-to-help-you-lose-weight.aspx?pos=1&xid=nl_EverydayHealthManagingDiabetes_20140706#/slide-1

This is a link to an article from Everyday Health.  We only have a couple of the gadgets mentioned:
Smaller dishes equal smaller portions, less calories.  We have smaller plates.
Lemon squeezer, we have this.  I love to squeeze lemons and freeze the juice.
Citrus Zester.  This is like a grater for your citrus peels.  The grated peels can be used for adding flavor to your meals in a way with less calories than oils, and less negative effect than salt.
Vegetable steamer: Steaming is a healthy way to cook food without added fats.
Slow Cooker: This is another tool we have.  Slow cooking helps to cook meets in their own juisces rather than adding calories or fat.  It is also a simple way to cook healthy food.
Oil Mister: Spraying on oil to avoid over using oil is a good idea.
Kitchen scale: Portion control cannot really be don without a scale, and is so important for portion control.
Immersion Blender: I would really like one of these.  This is a whipper/ beater you can put in your drink.
Salad spinner:  A spinner can make salad making easier, and consequently more likely.  Also a dry salad holds dressing better so you can use less.
All good ideas.  I would really like a citrus zester next.

**Taking Care of My Health

State of Welllness: Wellness Works winter 2014

This county provided pamphlet starts with a review of the health of county workers.  It is not very flattering, but good to know I am not alone.  55 percent of the county in general, and 56 percent of county worker are either overweight or obese.  I must admit I would like to get down to just being overweight.  51 percent of county workers have high blood pressure or are borderline, 44 percent are stressed or very stressed.  I have to say with regards to stress, it is stressful doing more with less, which seems to be the trend.

So some answers:

Eat right.  They suggest enjoying your good by eating more slowly, and eating less.  Prepare portions visually by using smaller plates, have of plate should be fruits and vegetables; leafy colored vegetables over starchy ones (my favorite is potatoes which didn’t make the list).  Make half your grains whole grains—watch the bread and the rice.  Eat less processed food, ingredients list should be short and sweet, avoid sugary drinks and make sure to include dairy.

Get physical activity:

“Exercise is absolutely essential to a healthy lifestyle.  Try to get in at least 150 minutes moderate physical activity each week; more if weight loss is the goal.”

Smart goals

These are goals that are attainable and time bound.  They are specific identifying actions to reach the goal; measurable, how much how long etc.; attainable, outcome is within reach; relevant, start small and make sure you have skills, resources to achieve goal; and time-bound, have an end date.

March into May, the county is sponsoring an exercise program which they do every year, to get people more active and to measure their activity.

**Eight Ideas to Lose Weight

Here is another bit of advice from Everyday Health.  This is some key pointers to losing weight and keeping it off.  1. Portion Control.  This is a big one for me and can sabotage and diet.  2. Eat slowly, it takes a while for your body to tell you you are full.  3.  Eat your vegetables first.  Never tried that.  4. Don't ski[ meals.  If you do your body will think it is starving and it is hard not to overeat when you are starving.  5.  Drink plenty of water.  6. Switch to healthy snacks.  This is something our family struggles with.  7.  Exercise as often as you can.  Exercise is key, and the only way to get fit.  8.  Keep a record.  What and important art of the whole process.
http://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/food-and-mood/lifestyle-changes/adopting-healthier-habits.aspx?pos=1&xid=nl_EverydayHealthDietandNutrition_20140618

**The Power of Fruit

http://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition-pictures/the-healthiest-power-fruits-next-door.aspx?pos=1&xid=nl_EverydayHealthManagingDiabetes_20131124#/slide-1

That regular everyday fruit is good for you.  We have heard since we were little, "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away."  This article explains that apples help to reduce bad cholesterol levels.  The also help with lungs, fighting asthma and COPD.
Other fruits it mentions that are helpful, blue berries fight fat, grapefruit helps to stabilize sugar.  Consuming 1/2 grapefruit one time a day lowers sugar levels.  Tangerines are good for your metabolism fighting sugar issues and coronary artery disease and thus reducing stroke.   Strawberries fight cancer and dried prunes are good for your bones.  Cranberries are good to fight bacteria in the mouth, and thus good for teeth.  However cranberry jellies are not always good in this regard.  Grapes are also beneficial.  White help with fighting inflammation and red grapes as an immune booster.
I know their are other healthy fruits not mentioned in this article.  Bananas are rich in potassium which is good for the heart.  Sour cherries have antioxidants and vitamin C.  If you are pregnant, oranges help with the neurological development of the baby.  Pears have lots of soluble fiber which helps the digestive track. 
A good balanced diet requires food from many different areas, but fruits are delicious and aren't we glad they are good for us too.

**Diabetes and Wound Care from Everyday Health

http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/type-2-diabetes-lifestyle/healing-cuts-with-diabetes.aspx?pos=1&xid=nl_everydayhealthmanagingdiabetes_20140508

This is a short article on foot and wound care.  It says the number one defense against infection, and poor healing, is to keep you blood sugar within normal levels.  It also mentions four other safety tips:  Check your feet and vulnerable areas frequently, if you have worrisome areas get medical help, if you have issues with your feet try to stay off them, or if elsewhere avoid pressure which interferes with blood circulation,  and lastly, maintain adequate nutrition and hydration.
Sometimes poor nutrition habits may keep wounds from healing well.  We need to make sure we are eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, which will aid in healing.

**Energy Boosting Food when You're Tired

From the EAP newsletter at work, “EAP Sentry” article "Tired: Try These Energy-Boosting Foods" and my reaction:
 Food I will actually try:
Dark Leafy Greens: A little spinach or Swiss chard in a salad is always nice. I also like the bitter taste of dandelion leaves. The list also suggests topping your sandwich with leafy greens. That is an idea.
Nuts: I love nuts and eat them regularly. However I could be even more regular. I keep walnuts in my desk at work, but only eat them for a snack if I am really hungry.
Oatmeal: This is something I do not eat enough of. The suggestion is to add cinnamon or blueberries. I am more an apples, brown sugar and raspberries kind of a person.

Food I don’t think I will try
Red Peppers: Plain Peppers are not my thing. I do not like this as part of the salad plate. However I like peppers in an omelet, or on a steak sandwich, or in fajitas or stir-fry.

**Book Review Dynamic Health: Powerful Strategies for Healthy Living: Chapter 5: Dr. Earl Mindell

This book is a series of interviews with prominent people in the field of health, with the goal of educating us on taking better care of our health.
Dr. Earl Mindell is a vitamin specialist. He has written many books including "The Vitamin Bible."  I found this interview informative.  I came away from it with a sense of needing to take a daily vitamin, and to do something about my weight.  Nutrition is an area where our knowledge is doubling every couple of years.  You have to stay informed.  He concludes with this simple statement, "If you want to be healthy, you have to put responsibility for your health in your own hands.  It's as simple as that.  If you want to be sick, don't worry about a thing--it's going to happen.

** Eye Health from Vision Service Plan

Who new there was so much to know about your eyes.  I didn't even realize there was such a thing as "Computer Vision Syndrome."  This article is from Vision Service Plan and came to work.  It includes many links for additional reading.  It is interesting how nutrition and exercise play a part even in eye health

Enjoy Your Vision… for a Lifetime
By taking care of your eyes, you can see a lifetime of enjoyment!  Here’s how:
·         Get annual vision exams… starting at six (6) months of age through our Golden Years. ·         Exercise regularly…to help keep your eyes healthy and prevent conditions linked to chronic illnesses. ·         Eat foods rich in antioxidants… to protect your vision over a lifetime and help prevent developing eye conditions. ·         Protect your eyes…by wearing sunglasses or protective eyewear to lower your risk of damage or injury. ·         Give your eyes a break…by following the 20-20-20 rule to prevent “Computer Vision Syndrome”.   The rule is after viewing screen for 20 minutes look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.