Central Carolina HEALTH - Winter 2015 - (Page 4)

Health Beat Keep or Toss? What R U Thinking? It's tempting. Your text alert sounds while you're driving and you sneak a peek. You type a reply, toggling your eyes between the road and your phone. You might have just dodged a bullet. Here are the facts about the dangers of texting while driving. WINTER COMFORT FOODS Comfort food may be good for the soul. But what about the body? "In winter, we're looking for foods that are warm and creamy," says registered and licensed dietitian Marisa Moore, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. But not all comfort foods are created equal. Crashes are three times as likely if you text and drive. 36 percent of teens say they have nearly crashed as a result of distracted driving. 421,000 people were injured in distraction-related crashes in 2012. That's almost the population of Atlanta. CHILI POT PIES KEEP IT, especially if you incorporate more beans than meat. "Beans are an awesome source of ﬁber that help you get full on fewer calories," Moore says. TWEAK IT. Swap out some or all meat for mushrooms, add extra vegetables, make with a single crust, and voilà-you have a hearty yet healthy low-fat meal. Exercise Rut Busters Bored with the same old exercise routine? Your body might be, too. If you do the same exercises all the time (read: 30 minutes on the treadmill), you're probably not helping your body or your mind. Here's how to transform your rut into a groove. 4| WINTER 2015 Mix it up. Change the duration and add repetitions or new activities to your workout. Try alternating treadmill time with jumping jacks, or swap a gym workout for an outdoor run. Enlist a friend. Friends add motivation and, let's face it, fun to your workout. Do what you love. Loathe running laps? You might enjoy circuit training. Adopt activities you enjoy. You'll be more likely to stick with them. MACARONI AND CHEESE TOSS IT. At least most of the time. "We love mac and cheese, but having it every day is a disaster in terms of your waistline," Moore says. e Websit FIND A FITNESS PLAN Want to build a better workout? Visit aceﬁtness.org/aceﬁt/ ﬁtness-for-me to ﬁnd plans and videos for workouts tailored to your needs. http://www.acefitness.org/acefit/fitness-for-me http://www.acefitness.org/acefit/fitness-for-me

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Central Carolina HEALTH - Winter 2015

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Central Carolina HEALTH - Winter 2015