FORA D20 2-in-1 Blood Glucose/Blood Pressure Monitor - FCI2444

FORA D20 2-in-1 Blood Glucose/Blood Pressure Monitor - FCI2444

25 Super Snacks With 100 Calories or Less

1/2 Cup Slow-Churned Ice Cream

Surprise! Ice cream tops our list of low-calorie snacks. The key is to look for slow-churned or double-churned varieties. This refers to a process that reduces fat and calories while retaining the creamy texture of full-fat varieties, so 1/2 cup has just 100 calories. As a bonus, you’ll get some protein and calcium.

• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Sodium: 45 mg
• Cholesterol: 20 mg
• Carbs: 15 g

6 Cups Microwave Popcorn

When you want a large snack with a small calorie count, popcorn delivers. Some microwave brands have just 100 calories in 6 cups. "You have to chew it, so it's satisfying," says Joan Salge Blake, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. It's also high in fiber, which can help you stay full longer.

• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Carbs: 24 g

Mini Quesadilla

You may not expect cheese quesadillas to make a list of low-calorie snacks, but try this recipe: sprinkle an ounce of grated low-fat cheddar cheese over a corn tortilla. Fold in half and microwave for 20 seconds. This quick and tasty snack has only 100 calories and 1.3 g of saturated fat.

• Saturated Fat: 1.3 g
• Sodium: 182 mg
• Cholesterol: 6 mg

Cottage Cheese and Cantaloupe

Cottage cheese is a protein powerhouse, with 1/2 cup delivering 14 g. Like fiber, protein can help you stay full longer. Enjoy low-fat cottage cheese plain or with a side of fruit. A small wedge of cantaloupe brings the total calories to 100.

• Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
• Sodium: 468 mg
• Cholesterol: 5 mg

Three Crackers With Cheese

Choosing whole-grain crackers is the key to this classic snack. The fiber will keep you feeling full between meals, and the cheese provides protein and calcium. To stay under 100 calories, cut up one slice of low-fat cheese and split it over three crackers.

• Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
• Sodium: 397 mg
• Cholesterol: 7 mg

Fourteen Almonds

When the munchies strike while you're on the go, there are few things more convenient than nuts. You can eat 14 almonds without hitting the 100-calorie mark. Plus, they're rich in fiber and protein, which help keep hunger at bay. "They're a great snack when you're stuck in traffic," Blake adds.

• Saturated Fat: 0.63 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Six Whole-Grain Pretzel Sticks

For those who don't like nuts, pretzels are just as convenient when you're on the move. To stay under 100 calories, stick to six whole-grain pretzel sticks. This snack is cholesterol-free, low in fat and sugar, and provides more than 3 g of fiber to help tide you over.

• Saturated Fat: 0.4g
• Sodium: 257mg
• Cholesterol: 0 m

Baked Apple

Apples are still one of the healthiest snacks around, and there are plenty of ways to put a twist on this old standby. Blake recommends enjoying baked apples – they taste like dessert but provide the same vitamins and fiber as their fresh counterparts. You can even sprinkle cinnamon on top without adding calories.

• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Sodium: 2 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Cheese-Stuffed Pita Pocket

Here's one that's easy to make and gives you the satisfaction of biting into a sandwich. Grab a whole-grain pita pocket and stuff it with 1/2 ounce part-skim ricotta cheese. The fiber and protein will help fill you up, and the whole snack has less than a gram of saturated fat.

• Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
• Sodium: 149 mg
• Cholesterol: 4 mg

Blueberry Smoothie

A fruit smoothie offers a scrumptious way to get in some extra calcium and antioxidants during your day. Try blending 1/3 cup of nonfat yogurt with 2/3 cup of frozen blueberries and ice. "It's very refreshing and very cold," Blake says. "That slows down your ability to drink quickly." Snacks that take more time to finish are often more satisfying.

• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Sodium: 59 mg
• Cholesterol: 2 mg

1/3 Cup Edamame

These young soybeans are among the healthiest snacks you can find. A third of a cup has more than 8 g of protein and 4 g of fiber to help keep you full. As a bonus, you’ll get nearly 10% of your recommended daily allowance of iron. Edamame is available in ready-to-eat containers for a quick snack on the run.

• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 4.5 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

3/4 Cup Frozen Mango Cubes

You can buy these pre-packaged or make them yourself. "It's like having frozen candy," Blake says. "It's a great way to get beta-carotene and fiber while satisfying your sweet tooth." A 3/4 cup serving has just 90 calories and provides 60% of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.

• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Eight Baby Carrots with Hummus

When you're craving a satisfying crunch, dip eight large baby carrots into 2 tablespoons of hummus. Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A and beta carotene, while hummus adds protein. Pre-packaged baby carrots are convenient, and there are many varieties of hummus available.

• Saturated fat: 0.4 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Apple Slices With Peanut Butter

Mixing sweet with salty is a tried and true way to satisfy the munchies. Measure 3/4 cup of apple slices and spread a thin layer of unsalted peanut butter on each slice. To stay near the 90-calorie mark, don't use more than 2 teaspoons of peanut butter in all.

• Saturated fat: 0.8 g
• Sodium: 2 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Yogurt With Sunflower Seeds

Stir a teaspoon of sunflower seeds into 1/2 cup of nonfat plain yogurt. The seeds add plenty of texture but only 19 calories. The yogurt is a good source of protein, and the entire snack has less than half a gram of saturated fat. Make sure to use unsalted sunflower seeds, especially if you are watching your sodium.

• Saturated Fat: 0.26 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Nonfat Greek Yogurt with Honey

Greek yogurt is known for its extra-creamy texture and high protein content. Just 1/2 cup of nonfat plain Greek yogurt has 12 g of protein to help you stay full. Drizzle on a teaspoon of honey, and the whole snack totals 84 calories.  The best part is, you may feel like you're eating dessert.

• Saturated fat: 0 g
• Sodium: 53.5 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Half a Baked Potato with Salsa

Microwave a baked potato for an easy snack that's loaded with vitamin C, not with calories. Half of a medium-sized baked potato has 80 calories – keep the skin, which is packed with nutrients. Spread a tablespoon of salsa on top to spice it up without significantly boosting the calorie count.

• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Sodium: 124 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Frozen Yogurt Sandwich

Nonfat frozen yogurt is a healthy alternative to ice cream, and it's easy to find varieties with no added sugar. Try making a "FroYo" sandwich by spreading two tablespoons of nonfat frozen yogurt between two graham cracker squares. Even with chocolate frozen yogurt, you're only looking at 84 calories.

• Saturated Fat: 0.13 g
• Sodium: 104 mg
• Cholesterol: 1 mg

20 Pistachios

Don't let the high fat content in pistachios scare you off -- most of the fat is unsaturated or "good" fat. Eat 20 pistachios, and you'll only take in 80 calories and less than a gram of saturated fat. Plus, they're rich in protein, fiber, and several key vitamins and minerals. To avoid an unhealthy dose of sodium, eat them raw or dry roasted without salt.

• Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Frozen Banana Pop

If you're looking for a creative way to add more fruit to your diet, try frozen banana pops. Slice several peeled bananas in half and insert popsicle sticks. Coat each half with an ounce of low-fat plain yogurt. Put the pops in the freezer, and soon you'll have ready-to-eat low-calorie treats. At just under 80 calories a pop, this is a snack you can feel good about.

• Saturated fat: 0.35 g
• Sodium: 3 mg
• Cholesterol: 7 mg

1 Cup Tomato Soup

Tomato soup is full of disease-fighting nutrients, but contains as little as 74 calories per cup, no cholesterol, and less than 1 gram of saturated fat. Just keep in mind that there are many varieties. Cream of tomato is significantly higher in fat and calories. When buying canned soup, look for labels that say "low sodium" and check the calorie count.

• Saturated Fat: 0.19 g
• Sodium: 471 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

1/3 Cup Dry Oat Squares Cereal

If you're a cereal fan, try leaving out the milk for a convenient, low-calorie snack. Pour 1/3 cup dry oat squares cereal into baggies you can keep in the car or at your office. Each serving has 70 calories and barely any saturated fat. Other types of whole-grain cereals also work well. Just stay away from overly sweetened varieties.

• Saturated fat: 0.17 g
• Sodium: 83 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

1 Cup Grapes

Grapes are loaded with water, which means that a whole cupful has only 62 calories. The water content helps provide a feeling of fullness and keeps you hydrated. Grapes are also a terrific source of vitamin K and manganese, and contain some fiber to boot. They're great eaten fresh or frozen.

• Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
• Sodium: 2 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Smoked Salmon Pinwheel

For a savory snack under 60 calories, spread 1 tablespoon of low-fat cream cheese onto a slice of smoked salmon (lox) and roll it up. This salmon pinwheel is high in protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, though the salt used to cure the salmon boosts the sodium content. Use a little less cream cheese and you can have two pinwheels for under 100 calories.

• Saturated Fat: 1.6 g
• Sodium: 495 mg
• Cholesterol: 13 mg

One Cup Jicama Sticks and Salsa

Jicama root is one veggie that's often overlooked. Yet, it is incredibly low in calories and offers a satisfying crunch. Slice the jicama into French-fry sized sticks and dip them in salsa. You can munch on an entire cupful for only 54 calories.

• Saturated Fat: 0.03 g
• Sodium: 235 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Not-So-Super Snacks

Don't make a habit of snacking on 100-calorie packs of crackers and cookies, which are mainly made with refined flour. These snack packs may be low in calories, but they're also low in nutrients. It's better to make your snacks work for you by delivering protein, fiber, or antioxidants.

© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

Managing Urinary Incontinence With Absorbent Products

Your ability to control urination or defecation requires: a normal anatomy, a normally functioning nervous system and, being able to determine and respond to the warning signs of an impending bathroom call. Incontinence is the involuntary discharge of urine or faeces due to a lack of control by the bladder or bowels and occurs because one or more of the afore-mentioned organs are not functioning as it should.

Its causes (urinary tract infections, neurological disorders. weakened pelvic and/or sphincter muscles, enlarged prostrate, medication and other pre-existing conditions) and types (urge, stress, mixed, faecal etc.) are varied and likewise is its treatment. The main approaches to treating incontinence are: behavioral (Pelvic muscle rehabilitation, bladder retraining, Toilet scheduling) medicinal and surgical. However, regardless of the type and treatment required, there’ll likely be a period during which a less invasive method of management is necessary. The focus of this document is to assist you in making the right decision in selecting an absorbent product that will enable you to continue participating in normal everyday activities. These are products which absorbs urine:  adult diapers, plastic-coated underwear and pads, or panty liners that can be used to manage any form of incontinence.You're Not Alone

Pads and Liners

There are number of pads and guards designed for men and women who experience the loss of small to moderate amounts of urine.  These pads are manufactured to absorb fluid more effectively with: a waterproof back, a pad containing a gel-forming polymer and an adhesive strip which fastens the product to your underclothing. They are meant to be worn inside your underwear, come in varying sizes, have different levels of absorbency and can be disposable. The padding and gel are made specifically to handle the chemical composition of urine thus ensuring maximum protection. Liners are similar in content to pads and are both longer and wider while offering better front-to-back protection; many are made with elastic gussets on the sides to fit the curvature of the body and help prevent leakage. Alternatively there are belted undergarments which replace ordinary underpants. This device includes: a belt with attachments of either buttons or velcro at the front and rear to which a pad is secured. The belt is made of elastic which facilitates easy removal (for toilet use) or change.

Disposable Underwear

Disposable briefs are designed for moderate to heavy incontinence and are similar in appearance to baby diapers. The difference being that, there are two or three tape closures on either side to provide additional security. They are manufactured with a plastic or thread-like waterproof and absorbent padding, which contains gel-forming polymer to absorb urine. They offer different levels of absorbency, shell structure. and odor control. In choosing one, you need to be aware of the benefits and drawbacks of each. Cheap briefs appear to save on cost. However, their level of absorbency is relatively low and their shell casing have a fragile plastic backing that tears easily,  are often noisy and the fasteners are unreliable. This means that the frequency of change occurs more often than the more expensive brands which offer a noiseless cloth-like or more robust shell covering with tapes which can be refastened repeatedly.  This type of product is also available as one-piece absorbent underpants (pull-ups). The preferred type of briefs depends on the choice of each individual, based on their precise situation. For an active person a disposable brief of good quality is more reliable, providing protection for a longer period of time and safely allowing for a greater range of activity than any of the other products.

Reusable Products

For many people disposable products may be the only option, however, also available are reusable (washable) products for persons who may be experiencing slight to moderate incontinence. These include incontinence undergarments which resemble normal underwear, with sewn in absorbent pads and are available in a variety of absorbency levels for both men and women. There are:  contoured cloth diapers with a plastic covering, adult cloth diapers and vinyl, nylon and rubber waterproof outer pants that are worn over the undergarments providing an extra level of protection.

Bed and Chair Protection

For in-house usage there are also bed and chair protectors.  Underpads are flat absorbent pads which are used to protect mattresses, bed linens and chairs. These may be made with absorbent cotton flannel on one side with a waterproof backing and are available in be disposable or reusable formats. While underpads offer partial covering to bedding, mattress pads are used to cover the complete mattress and come in varying sizes to fit all mattresses.

Your choice of product should be determined by: your degree of incontinence, the product’s absorbency, durability, odor control proficiency, its comfort and ease of use, your lifestyle and the cost. With the right product and its proper use you can live a normal life and continue to participate in most activities. Although cost is a factor you need to consider the old adage “it’s better to be safe than sorry” and not let it be the major factor in choosing the right product.

© 2012 Goldeneramart.com - All Rights Reserved

H. Nurse

http://www.goldeneramart.com

The CareGiver Partnership: 3 Dietary Rules for Managing Incontinence

The CareGiver Partnership: 3 Dietary Rules for Managing Incontinence

Salt-potassium ratio may trump blood pressure for heart disease

Folks who think low blood pressure means they can consume salt without worry may be in for a surprise. Research suggests that the ratio of sodium to potassium in the diet is more predictive of health risks than high blood pressure is.

Even healthy individuals with normal blood pressure should avoid a "sodium-saturated diet," according to an eMaxHealth article by Dr. Robin Wulffson.
He's no lone voice, either.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers published a recent study in the Archives of Internal Medicine that found an increased risk based on that ratio, as well. The scientists controlled for "all the major cardiovascular risk factors" and still found an association with deaths from heart disease when the sodium-potassium ratio was bad. Sodium raises blood pressure and reduces the elasticity of arteries. Potassium activates nitric oxide, which relaxes arteries and lowers the risk of high blood pressure. Sodium, by the way, blocks uptake of nitric oxide.

The Institute of Medicine last year looked at data from 12,000 American adults and reported that a high-sodium diet increases the risk of heart disease, as has been widely reported. But of greater portent, it said, is the balance between the two chlorine salts: sodium raises risk, while potassium lowers it.
That study concluded that "no one is immune to the adverse health effects of excessive sodium intake."

Research shows that when the sodium-to-potassium ratio is high, people are nearly 50 percent more likely to die from any cause within the 14.8-year follow-up period and twice as likely to die from ischemic heart disease, compared to those who consumed less sodium than potassium.

Three-fourths of salt in the American diet is eaten in processed foods or at restaurants. Wulffson pointed out that it also comes from water that has run through a water-softener. That can be charged with potassium chloride instead of with sodium chloride, although it costs more.

The human body only needs 220 milligrams of sodium a day; the average diet contains more than 3,400 milligrams a day. Current dietary guidelines cap it at a maximum of 2,300 milligrams for all but those at high risk, who should have no more than 1,500 milligrams a day. That category includes anyone over 50, African-Americans and those with high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

An article in the New York Times notes that because the Food and Drug Administration categorizes salt as "generally recognized as safe," food producers can put as much into products as they wish. Writes the Times' Jane E. Brody, "To make matters worse, not only does the amount of sodium rise precipitously when foods like tomatoes and potatoes are processed, but the natural potassium in these foods declines significantly, worsening the sodium-potassium ratio."


Wulffson noted that 28 national food companies, retailers and supermarket chains have agreed to the national Salt Reduction Initiative, which targets a 25 percent reduction in sodium in food products by 2014.

The American Heart Association has launched a campaign to make it easy to send comments to the FDA and Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), which have been soliciting suggestions and reaction to reducing sodium consumption. One click and the association links you to their site.

It's going to take a harder push from the government to really make a change, according to the IOM report. "What is needed," it says, "is a coordinated effort to reduce sodium in foods across the board by manufacturers and restaurants — that is, create a level playing field for the food industry."

And an expert at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Dr. Jane E. Henney, who chaired the committee that produced the IOM report, told Brody that salt should lose its "GRAS" status with the FDA, so that it is no longer considered "safe" as it is currently being used.

By Lois M. Collins, Deseret News