Health and Human Services Professional Development

Can Physical Health Impact Happiness? YOU BETHCA!! by   Mikki Sherwood   on   March 2, 2014   The body’s natural desire is to be healthy, says Dean Ornish in this Ted Talks video,  “Healing Through Diet,”  Dr. Ornish states that optimal health, and therefore happiness, occurs when you follow a lifestyle that includes a low-fat and plant-based diet, stress management training, moderate exercise, no smoking or drinking alcohol, and the psychological support of peers. Dr. Ornish also states that it is important to be aware of behaviors that can have a negative impact on health later in life. For example, it is important to eat a well-balanced, low-fat diet consisting of all the main food groups: dairy, protein, grains, fruits, and vegetables. It is also important to stay in shape by exercising on a regular basis. On the other hand, drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes can negatively impact health.  Dr. Ornish states that it is relatively easy to...

Family Matters: How Family Meal Patterns Create LifeLong Habits by   Mikki Sherwood   on   September 15, 2014 ********************Melissa Crone, guest author As we grow out of adolescence many of the eating habits that were instilled in our childhood impact the choices we make as adults. These choices can define the quality of our lives.  For example, we have all heard of the health benefits of eating breakfast. Did you eat breakfast every day as a child? If you did, you are more likely to continue that trend even when you are responsible for waking yourself up, preparing the food, and cleaning up the mess. On the other hand, if most of your childhood meals were on the go, you are likely to repeat the pattern as an adult, grabbing food with little thought to the nutritional value. What does this mean? It means you are likely fall into patterns of eating behavior that match what you saw in your childhood home. If you did not eat meals as a family, sit and ...

Dump My Caffeine Habit…NOOOO (Really, I don’t have to?) by   Melissa Crone, Guest Author   on   September 21, 2014 It is well documented that caffeine is a stimulant, meaning that it can increase alertness. In fact, we all know that too much caffeine can disrupt sleep patterns, causing a myriad of health issues. But, do you need to cut out caffeine completely in order to get a good night’s sleep? Researchers have discovered that the amount of caffeine you drink does impact sleep, but that does not necessarily mean to cut out caffeine entirely.  Early ingestion of a caffeinated drink is fine, just taper off your caffeine use throughout the day. You can still have your coffee in the morning, but reducing caffeine throughout the day can help you fall asleep faster and for longer periods of time. References Burgess-Champoux, T. L., Larson, N., Neumark-Sztainer, D., Hannan, P. J., & Story, M. (2009). Are family meal patterns associated with overall diet q...

Food and Mood: Evidence for Diet-Related Changes in Mental Health by   Jenna Carlson, Guest Author   on   September 27, 2014   Do you ever feel down in the dumps some days and cheery other days? It may be because there is a connection between diet and mental health. The food you eat plays an important role in every stage of your life. Your brain is sensitive to the foods that you eat, and to remain healthy your body needs nutrients like grains, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water. Foods that contain grains, specifically whole-grains like bread can help to stabilize mood and provide energy. Likewise, foods that contain omega-3 fats like fish can help to boost your mood and performance. Foods high in protein like peanut butter help to your brighten mood, and aid in sleep. Also, foods which are high in vitamins, like vitamin B can be found in cheese, which play a role in your concentration and energy. Foods that contain minerals, like iron, which can be ...

Constructing Food Choice Decisions by   Jenna Carlson, Guest Author   on   September 27, 2014   Have you ever thought about how many food choices you have to make in a day? Eating is something that is required for survival and health, and is an activity that is repeated when making food choice decisions. Each time you eat it requires decisions including: what, when, with whom, how long, how, and how much to eat. It is estimated that most people make over 220 food decisions a day (Sobal & Bisogni, 2009). The course of your life includes events and experiences that affect your food choices now and in the future when deciding what to eat. There are also many influences that determine your food choices such as your culture, your personal values, and your resources. The food choices you make occur frequently and are complex, due to the need for survival, and the changes that occur personally and historically, so next time you grab a bite to eat, ask yourself wha...

Whole Fruits or Vegetables, or Juices: Which Packs the Most Punch? by   Guest Author, Jennifer Ashley   on   November 9, 2014   We all know that fruit and vegetables are the cornerstone of a healthy diet.  Government health recommendations state that most of us should be eating two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables each day.  But how many of you choose your servings of fruits and vegetables from juice drinks? While a cup of 100% juice counts as a serving the same as a cup of whole fruit or vegetables, research suggests that the juice isn’t as nutritious as its fresh counterparts. Scientists at the University of Alabama recently compared fresh fruit with 100% fruit juice to determine the amount of antioxidants each contained.  Antioxidants are a type of molecule that protect our cells from damage, and they are one of the reasons why fruit and vegetables are so healthy for our bodies.  The researchers found that a serving o...