By StatePoint

Parents know that seeing clearly is important for their kid’s success in the classroom, but many are not taking their child to get annual eye exams. This is a problem because many kids don’t know what seeing clearly looks like.

According to a recent study by VSP Vision Care, the largest not-for-profit vision benefits provider in the U.S., and market research agency YouGov, eight-in-10 parents (83 percent) agree that a regular eye exam helps kids do their best in school, but four-in-10 (41 percent) wait until their child complains about their vision to schedule an eye exam.

Clear vision is not only important for academic performance, but also for sports and everyday tasks. That’s why a comprehensive eye exam is so important for children. Early detection and treatment provide the opportunity to correct vision problems.

Here are some guidelines to ensure you’re taking care of your child’s eyes properly.

• Watch for signs that indicate a vision problem. Common signals include covering one eye, holding reading materials close to the face, a short attention span and complaining of headaches or other discomfort. Parents need to look for these signs, as many kids, not knowing what seeing clearly looks like, won’t complain.

• First eye exam should be done at six months of age. Most parents don’t know that children should have their first eye exam when they’re only six months old! This is particularly important, as experts say as much as 80 percent of learning is done visually.

• An eye exam can detect early signs of health issues like diabetes. More kids than ever before are developing type 2 diabetes in the U.S, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An easy way to help detect early signs of diabetes in kids and better manage the condition is through annual comprehensive eye exams.

• Don’t underestimate the importance of eye exams. Yearly trips to the eye doctor are as important as annual visits to pediatricians or dentists. Don’t just assume all is well if your child is not squinting or complaining about his or her eyes. Because vision may change frequently during childhood years, regular eye and vision care becomes even more important. Your child should receive a comprehensive eye exam every year, or more frequently if specific problems or risk factors exist or if recommended by your eye doctor.

• Eye protection during sports and outdoor activities. Playing sports is important for your child’s overall development, however, thousands of children suffer sports-related eye injuries each year, nearly all of which could be prevented by using the proper protective eyewear. That is why it is essential that all children wear appropriate, protective eyewear whenever playing sports or when performing any outdoor activities, such as lawn mowing and trimming.

To find an eye doctor near you, visit VSP.com.

Taking care of your child’s eyes while they are young will help them perform their best in and out of the classroom and will set them up for a lifetime of success.

By StatePoint

One of the toughest aspects of managing cancer in children is communicating with young patients, say parents and healthcare experts.

“There were many times when my daughter did not want to talk or communicate her feelings,” says Joycelynn Sanchez of now 6-year-old Jiani, who at age 3, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. “She grew tired of the pokes and the questions and would become withdrawn.”

Fortunately, many parents and doctors are finding that new technology can help young patients like Jiani better communicate their feelings and manage their condition. For example, My Special Aflac Duck, a creation of Aflac, an insurance industry leader, and Sproutel, a research and development workshop, is an award-winning smart companion that nuzzles, quacks and dances with the lifelike movement of a real duckling. While entertaining, it’s not a toy. It’s specifically designed to help comfort, teach and empower young patients as they go through their journey with cancer, reflecting the belief that children need more than medicine to cope with the stress and loneliness that often come with their disease.

“On average, childhood cancer treatment lasts more than 1,000 days,” says Aaron Horowitz, CEO and co-founder of Sproutel. “We thought there must be a way to help alleviate some of the burden.”

Using the new companion technology, children can communicate their emotions by tapping colorful emoji cards to a sensor on the duck’s chest. Tap an emoji with a happy expression and it responds with delighted quacking. Choose the sad face and it lowers its head and sighs. Children can mirror their care routines through a compatible web-based app, including medical play and feeding and bathing their duck via augmented reality. It also dances, quacks, and nuzzles to help distract and calm them. Its exterior can even be removed, washed and sanitized.

Creation of the comforting companion is an extension of Aflac’s 22-year, $122 million commitment to childhood cancer causes. Their goal is to provide this feathered friend free of charge to all newly diagnosed children, nearly 16,000 each year according to the National Cancer Institute. Distribution, targeted to begin this coming winter, will be through hospitals, and the robotic duck will not be for general consumer sale.

Jiani’s treatment, which lasted three years and included various chemotherapies, as well as countless spinal taps and antibiotics, was completed in December 2017. “There were some tough times, but through it all, she was a champion,” says Sanchez. “Knowing tough times for other children with cancer may be made a little easier with the help of technology makes me very happy.”

By StatePoint

Over 1 million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease (PD), and while some symptoms are easier to see, such as tremors, stiffness and slowness of movement, there are a range of harder-to-detect non-movement symptoms that can have an impact on daily life.

Recently, the Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance (PMDAlliance), a non-profit organization offering programming for those in the Parkinson’s disease community, surveyed over 650 people with PD as well as care partners to better understand how non-movement symptoms impact their lives and quality of life.

Here are some of their findings and insights:

1. Parkinson’s disease affects more than motor function. Every person with Parkinson’s disease may experience different symptoms, both motor and non-movement related.

In fact, nearly all (90 percent) of survey respondents experienced non-movement symptoms, such as:

• Sleep problems (84 percent)

• Cognitive challenges (75 percent)

• Anxiety (65 percent)

• Depression (55 percent)

• Hallucinations (41 percent)

• Delusions (24 percent)

2. Non-movement symptoms can be more challenging than motor symptoms. Of those who experienced, or reported that their loved one experienced, non-movement symptoms, 84 percent felt that they have a negative impact on quality of life, and about half rated them as more challenging or much more challenging to live with than movement symptoms.

In a survey question about their Parkinson’s experience, one care partner said, “I wish [other people] knew that Parkinson’s looks different in different people. My spouse’s motor symptoms are fairly well controlled, but his REM sleep disorder and dementia have made our lives incredibly challenging and exhausting.”

3. Daily living is impacted by hard-to-see symptoms. Parkinson’s disease changes how patients and their care partners think about the future and cope with day-to-day living.

In fact, non-movement symptoms negatively impacted the ability to:

• Sleep (84 percent)

• Plan for future events (76 percent)

• Socialize (71 percent)

• Make plans with family and friends (70 percent)

• Be intimate with their partner (68 percent)

• Complete household chores (68 percent)

• Run errands (67 percent)

When people with Parkinson’s experience non-movement symptoms, care partners are impacted, too. In fact, psychosis symptoms in patients with PD are a strong predictor of increased care partner burden, and those with hallucinations have a 2.5-fold greater risk for nursing home admission.

4. Reporting symptoms is crucial. Even though non-movement symptoms are common, they are rarely reported. For example, more than half of patients will experience hallucinations or delusions associated with Parkinson’s over the course of their disease, however, only 10-20 percent of patients and care partners voluntarily report these symptoms to their doctors.

It’s important to report all symptoms to a doctor (usually a neurologist), as there are many different treatment options to address both motor and non-movement symptoms.

“Those with Parkinson’s and their families are not alone. Talking to your doctor is just the start of getting support and treatment,” says Sarah Jones, CEO of PMDAlliance. “We urge the entire Parkinson’s community to continue initiating conversations about symptoms, especially the non-movement ones that greatly impact day-to-day living.”

New educational resources about the onset and impact of non-movement symptoms of Parkinson’s can be found by visiting Pmdalliance.org and MoretoParkinsons.com.

The survey was sponsored by ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.

By StatePoint

September is National Preparedness Month, and with wildfires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes occurring around the world, having access to safe drinking water in the event of an emergency should be top of mind no matter where you live.

Natural disasters can contaminate and disrupt water supplies, making it difficult to access safe drinking water at home. Emergencies also force families out of their homes, making it necessary to hydrate from natural water resources where harmful contaminants like bacteria, chemicals, microplastics and heavy metals may be present.

“The everyday public health concern of water contamination is elevated during emergencies, when water can be unreliable for drinking,” says Alison Hill, managing director of LifeStraw, a manufacturer of water filtration systems that is often involved in disaster relief both in the U.S, and around the globe.

“If an emergency has your family on the move, being able to hydrate safely from any fresh water source — fountains, streams, rivers and ponds is key,” points out Hill.

When building your emergency supply kit, be sure to include a portable filter to help eliminate harmful contaminants from your drinking source.

LifeStraw makes it easy to hydrate safely at home and outdoors. LifeStraw Go is a refillable bottle that incorporates a two-stage filter removing bacteria, chemicals, microplastics and bad taste from drinking water. Another good option for personal use is LifeStraw Flex, a multi-use filter that removes heavy metals including lead as well as bacteria and parasites. Finally, those traveling in groups may find it more efficient to use a filter specifically designed for a crowd, such as the brand’s Mission model, a high-volume gravity-powered purifier that also filters viruses, available in a 12-liter compact roll bag.

Being prepared for any situation will help keep your family safe and healthy, for whatever comes your way. This National Preparedness Month, gain the confidence of knowing that you will have access to safe water for days, weeks and even months should your water supply be compromised by a natural disaster or other emergency.

Staff Reports

Today in America diabetes is at an all-time high with 9.3% of the population having diabetes. Which means 1.4 million Americans are diagnosed with type two or type one diabetes every year. Into 2012 alone 208,000 Americans under 20 were affected by diabetes. Some people might think diabetes is hereditary but There are various stages of diabetes. The first being type two diabetes which is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar. The second is type one diabetes which is also a chronic condition where the pancreas produces little to no insulin. And the third is prediabetes which happens when the blood sugar istoo high. And the fourth stage is gestational diabetes this is a form of diabetes that affects pregnant women specifically.

If diabetes is left untreated it will lead to heart disease impaired kidney function blindness loss of feeling in the affected lambs and even death. In 2017 Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the US. I’ve found that there’s a huge portion of Americans aren’t taking care of the diabetes like they should. It’s time to take diabetes as serious as statistics show. Being proactive and slowing down or reversing or managing the effects of diabetes is important and can be done through exercise healthy dieting and proper use of medication.

Foods that help slow down glucose (blood sugar) absorption is vegetables, berries , avocados and nuts. Reversing diabetes is possible and can be done when consulted by a doctor.

By StatePoint

Even as chronic diseases like prediabetes and high blood pressure touch more and more Americans, physicians are urging patients to keep in mind that early detection is key, and that chronic disease can often be managed with lifestyle changes.

“To confront our increasing chronic disease burden, patients must be aware of their risk for type 2 diabetes and hypertension,” says Barbara L. McAneny, M.D., president of the American Medical Association (AMA). “To prevent both of these chronic diseases, awareness and action are key.”

As part of the effort to empower Americans to confront chronic disease, the AMA offers the following guidance.

Prediabetes

While prediabetes — the precursor to type 2 diabetes — has serious health implications, people who are at risk can take steps to reverse the condition and prevent or delay type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes like weight loss, healthy eating and increased physical activity. Unfortunately, not everyone is even aware they are at risk. Eighty-four million people in the U.S. are living with prediabetes, and of those that have it, 90 percent are unaware, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The AMA urges patients to find out their risk by taking a one-minute online test at DoIHavePrediabetes.org. In addition to the risk test, the site contains other resources and links. Developed as part of a first-of-its-kind joint national prediabetes awareness campaign launched in 2016 by the AMA, Ad Council, CDC and the American Diabetes Association, the campaign has helped hundreds of thousands of Americans learn their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The campaign website also features lifestyle tips and links to CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program, which connects visitors to a registry of CDC-recognized programs across the country.

Hypertension

“With nearly half of all adults in the U.S. now living with high blood pressure and at increased risk of heart attack and stroke, more Americans should be monitoring their blood pressure levels and taking quick action to get their high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, under control,” says Dr. McAneny.

Unfortunately, there are often no signs or symptoms of high blood pressure, which is why it is often referred to as the “silent killer.” If left untreated, the condition damages the blood vessels and increases the risk for heart attack, stroke and other serious conditions.

To help understand and manage your blood pressure numbers, visit LowerYourHBP.org, a site launched by the American Heart Association, American Stroke Association, and the AMA in partnership with the Ad Council. The site helps raise awareness of the life-altering consequences of uncontrolled high blood pressure and motivates people to work with their doctors on developing and committing to a treatment plan.

By being proactive and knowing your risks, you can take control of your health.

By StatePoint

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted disease in the U.S. and cases of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer — a cancer that develops on the back and sides of the throat, tonsils and base of the tongue — in middle-age men have tripled in the past three decades.

But did you know that vaccines can help reverse this trend? August is Immunization Awareness Month and a good opportunity to learn more.

“Nearly all sexually active men and women get exposed to HPV at some point in their lives,” says Dr. Tom Thomas, director, Head and Neck Reconstructive Surgery and Transoral Robotic Surgery at Atlantic Health System’s Morristown Medical Center. “Symptoms may develop decades after you become infected, so it’s often impossible to know who transmitted the virus to you.”

You’re at higher risk for oral HPV if you:

• Haven’t been vaccinated against HPV

• Have had unprotected oral sex

• Have many sexual partners

• Have a sexual partner who has had many sexual partners

• Started having sex when you were 16 or younger

The good news is that when caught early, treatment for HPV-related throat cancer is often successful.

Symptoms include a lump on the neck that isn’t painful but doesn’t go away, a sore throat or difficulty swallowing that doesn’t go away after 3-4 weeks, unexplained weight loss and a change in voice.

If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away. If you have a history of known HPV infection or other sexually transmitted diseases, see a head and neck expert.

“Even with no symptoms, you can pass HPV on to others, and you can get HPV from someone who doesn’t show any symptoms,” says Dr. James Wong, medical director, Leonard B. Kahn Head and Neck Cancer Institute at Morristown Medical Center.

As one of the leaders of the new Atlantic HPV Center, the country’s first center dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, research and survivorship of HPV-associated cancers of the head and neck, Dr. Wong points out that understanding HPV and cancer can mean catching the disease early.

Unfortunately, experts say that persisting misconceptions associated with throat cancers caused by HPV create stigmas and fears and prevent many patients from having important conversations with loved ones and doctors.

“We need to overcome the embarrassment associated with throat cancer caused by HPV,” says Dr. Thomas. “Anyone who’s sexually active is at risk for getting HPV, even if you’ve had only one sexual partner.”

There are more than 150 types of HPV, but the HPV vaccine protects against both types 16 and 18, which cause the majority of cases of oropharyngeal cancer. More widespread use of the vaccine could lower the rate of high-risk HPV infection in men and women and consequently lower the rate of HPV-related cancer in both sexes. The Centers for Disease Control recommends getting the HPV vaccine for children at ages 11-12, before they are exposed to HPV, in order to protect them from certain cancers later in life. However, those who have already been infected can still get some protection from the vaccine, which is recommended for females aged 13 through 26 and males aged 13 through 21 who were not adequately immunized previously.

By StatePoint

Have you ever wanted to ask your doctor a question but didn’t because you felt uncomfortable? Experts say that an impersonal relationship with your doctor could be preventing you from receiving the best care possible.

“Your doctors should feel like valued members of your family — and you a part of theirs. That’s how I operate in my practice and what I aim to foster in my patients,” says Dr. Ken Redcross, who brings nearly 20 years of experience to his new book dealing with this subject, “Bond: The 4 Cornerstones of a Lasting and Caring Relationship with Your Doctor.”

Whether you have a new doctor or you’ve been at the same practice for years, your patient-doctor bond may be on faulty ground. But it doesn’t have to be, suggests Dr. Redcross. He believes that by establishing these four essential qualities in your patient-doctor relationships, you’ll pave the way to receiving better care:

• Trust. Trust is essential in any relationship, including the one with your doctor. There is no sharing without trust, and sharing is crucial when it comes to receiving the best possible care.

• Communication. No relationship can be sustained without open and honest communication on both sides, but developing healthy communication habits takes practice, effort and willingness.

• Respect. Respect is treating others with common courtesy, good social manners and appreciating each other’s humanity. This means respecting each other’s experience, knowledge and time.

• Empathy. Empathy is the ability to sense another person’s emotions and to be able to place yourself in his or her shoes, which is a valuable quality in a doctor. However, many physicians strive for a state of “concerned detachment,” which is the opposite of empathy. At the same time, patients can be more empathic, too, taking the time to consider everything their doctors may be dealing with on the day of their visit.

Building a great relationship with your doctor leads to practical benefits, says Dr. Redcross. In dealings with his own patients, he finds that great communication paves the way for better treatment.

“Recently, a patient of mine was dealing with muscle pain and we had a long conversation about different options. Initially, I recommended that she take traditional pain reliever with naproxen sodium every morning. However, by talking through all the options and what best fit her situation, including her overall medical history, preferences and more, we settled on using Arnica montana, a lower-risk plant-based pain reliever instead,” says Dr. Redcross. “Feeling comfortable enough with your doctor to challenge a suggestion and have a long and complete conversation is key. Unfortunately, such discussions between patients and doctors are rare.”

To learn more about the book, as well as about building better relationships with your doctors, visit, BondByDrRedcross.com.

At a time when doctor’s visits seem more routine and formulaic than ever before, experts say that receiving individualized care is possible, and it all starts with building strong relationships with your health care providers.

with Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Carrots and Currant Jam

By Hello Fresh

Cooking Time: 45 mins

Servings: 4

Nutrition: 790 Calories

Ingredients:

• Carrots- 3
• Yukon Gold Potatoes- 24 oz
• Yellow Onion- 1
• Parsley- 1/4 oz
• White Bread- 2 slices
• Milk- 13.5 oz
• Ground Beef- 20 oz
• Nutmeg- 1 tsp
• Meatloaf Mix- 1 tbsp
• Flour- 2 tbsp
• Beef Stock Concentrate- 2
• Currant Jam- 4 tbsp

1  PREHEAT AND PREP.    Wash and dry all produce. Adjust rack to upper position and preheat oven to 425 degrees. Peel carrots, then cut on a diagonal into ⅓-inch-thick coins; halve any large coins. Cut potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Halve and peel onion, then mince until you have ¼ cup (use the rest as you like). Finely chop parsley.

2  COOK VEGGIES     Toss carrots on a baking sheet with a drizzle of oil and a large pinch of salt and pepper. Roast in oven for 15 minutes (we’ll add more to the sheet then). Meanwhile, place potatoes in a medium pot with a large pinch of salt and enough water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and return to empty pot off heat.

3 SHAPE MEATLOAVES       Place bread and 3 tbsp milk in a medium bowl. Break up bread with your hands until pasty. Thoroughly mix in beef, 2 TBSP minced onion, half the parsley, ¼ tsp nutmeg, ½ TBSP meatloaf mix, salt, and pepper. Shape mixture into two 1-inch-tall loaves.

4  COOK MEATLOAVES      Heat a drizzle4 of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add meatloaves and cook until browned on surface but not yet cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Once carrots have roasted about 15 minutes, remove sheet from oven and give carrots a toss. Add meatloaves to same sheet and place in oven. Bake until meatloaves are cooked through and carrots are tender, about 15 minutes more.

5  MAKE GRAVY    Melt 1 tbsp butter in same pan over medium heat. Add remaining minced onion. Cook, tossing, until soft, about 2 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, until pasty, about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in ½ cup water, followed by stock concentrate and ¼ cup milk (save rest for potatoes). Bring to a simmer, then whisk until thickened, about 1 minute. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg (to taste). TIP: Add more water if too thick.

6  FINIAH AND SERVE.     Place pot with potatoes over low heat. Add ¼ cup milk and 1 TBSP butter. Mash until smooth. (TIP: Add more milk if stiff.) Season with salt and pepper. Divide potatoes and meatloaves between plates. Drizzle with gravy. Add carrots and jam to the side. Garnish with remaining parsley.

By StatePoint

Summer means BBQs, beach time and swimsuits, but it could also mean a change in eating habits and not necessarily for the better. Many people work hard throughout the winter in hopes of losing weight before summer, but when summer arrives, they abandon their healthy lifestyle and risk gaining weight.

“A healthy lifestyle is just that — a lifestyle — and can definitely be attainable all year long with the right tools,” says Mandi Knowles, dietitian for South Beach Diet.

With these simple slim down tips and tricks from Knowles, you can stay on the weight loss track and keep up your healthy routine this summer and beyond.

• Eat Before You Go Out: If you’re headed out for a big meal or party, don’t skip breakfast or your mid-morning snack. Eat plenty of nutritious, high-fiber foods all throughout the day. Pretend the day is just like any other, and you’ll be way less likely to over-indulge.

• Have Fruit for Dessert: Delicious fruit is in season, so trade that lemon meringue pie for some fresh cantaloupe or strawberries. Offer to make a fruit salad for potlucks, picnics and barbecues. Don’t forget fruit smoothies. Add fresh spinach or kale to your shake and you’ll fulfill a vegetable serving while satiating your sweet tooth.

• Stick to Your Routine: On vacations and weekends it’s easy to spiral away from good habits. To avoid a weight loss setback, try sticking to your weekday routine. Make good choices like eating a nutritious breakfast, getting some exercise and packing healthful snacks to fuel your day.

• Watch What You Drink: You don’t have to give up alcohol completely, but you should watch what you drink. Swap wine, beer and margaritas, which can be packed with sugar, for lighter drinks like vodka with sparkling water and a lime. Or ditch the alcohol all together and spice up water with fresh fruit.

• Lighten up Those BBQ Recipes: Pasta and potato salads are staples at many picnics, but they can also pack on excess calories, depending on how they are made. Use whole-grain pasta, olive oil, herbs and lemon juice to make pasta salad. Try sweet potatoes, turnips and Greek yogurt in potato salad. Use lean ground beef for burgers and skip the bun.

• Get Moving: Take advantage of the warm weather to get outside and move. Make time to take walks around the neighborhood, go for a swim, hike with friends or even do yoga in the park. You’ll feel better and your body will thank you.

More tips and information can be found on South Beach Diet’s blog, The Palm, at palm.southbeachdiet.com.

Even if you’re not at your goal weight, don’t let that stop you. By making smart choices this summer, you can live a healthier lifestyle and have the confidence to strut your stuff at the beach, pool and anywhere else the season takes you.

By StatePoint

Does your schedule, have you on-the-move? Check out these easy ways to healthfully keep hunger at bay, no matter where your busy life takes you, including at home!

Make Mini Meals

Instead of big heavy meals, think in smaller bites. Combine your favorite proteins, veggies, fruits and nuts into “snack style” meals that leave you satisfied, but not low on energy from just eating too much. Pick flavorful foods for lasting satisfaction.

Go Mediterranean

The Mediterranean diet is renowned for being both delicious and healthful. So, skip the chips and take a culinary cue from this region of the world for smarter snacking.

Flavorful, low-calorie, and low-carb olives provide a great centerpiece to any snack. Look for super easy options like Pearls’ Olives to Go! Infused Olives, which come in portable cups with peel-back lids. Since there’s no liquid and no refrigeration needed, it’s an easy option to bring along to work, school, the gym or on trips. Great on their own, flavors include Sriracha, Taco and Italian Herb. For more information, visit Olives.com/pearls.

Desk Drawer Delights

Sitting for long hours takes its toll. Take a brisk walk every day for a healthier outcome. A little snack afterwards is a welcome

reward. Keep fruit, olives or a handful of nuts on-hand to avoid

that junk food vending machine down the hall!

100 Calories or Less is Best

Keep an eye on packaged food labels and be aware of the calorie count of your favorite snack items. For example, 10 large olives are only about 35 calories and a small apple is about 75 calories. A protein rich hard-boiled egg is about 80 calories and 10 almonds are 70 calories.

Having knowledge about your food gives you control and prevents later regrets. Look for products packaged in reasonable portions, such as the Pearls Olives to Go!. With several varieties weighing in at 35 calories per cup, this is a choice you can feel good about.

Boarding Passes

Air travel is now notoriously lacking in tasty onboard snacks, save for a few peanuts often drenched in sugar. Packing some satisfying snacks with good fats and proteins is the trick to battling inflight munchies. Olives, roasted seeds and nuts, crunchy carrot sticks and a few squares of cheese can be life savers.

Power to the Pantry

Being prepared applies here! Keeping your pantry and refrigerator stocked with the right foods is key to being a super-snacker, not a slacker snacker, and will help to satisfy cravings and curb weight gain. Don’t even allow the junk foods in the door!

A well-provisioned pantry should include seeds, nuts, dried fruits, olives in portioned cups and some lean jerky snacks. Stock the refrigerator with portion-controlled cheese snack squares and sticks, chilled sparkling water, fresh veggie slices, hard-boiled eggs and tofu squares.

With these tips, you’re ready to power-snack and stay fueled for whatever your day throws at you.