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THE BEAN:
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 The holiday season is such a wonderful time of year to share love and reflect on the events of the year. The holidays often include celebrations, travel, and indulging in lots of rich, decadent foods. These deviations from our routines and normal habits can begin to affect our health, like increased blood pressure and fluid retention, if we are not mindful of our restrictions and doctor recommendations. Listed below are some helpful tips to keep you safe and healthy this holiday season.
Sodium and Fluid Did you know that a single restaurant entree typically contains 50-100% of a full day’s recommended sodium content? If you're eating out at a restaurant, split your entree in two and only have half; save the other half for leftovers on another day to avoid excess sodium. It is equally important to keep the sodium low for your other meals throughout the day when you do go eat out at a restaurant. Additionally, sodium can be hiding in the preservatives of the snacks and fast-food we may be eating outside of our normal routine. If you are cooking, try to use as many whole, fresh foods that you can and replace salt with other dried or fresh herbs, spices, and vegetables (garlic or ginger). Learn more about sodium’s secret identities here. As always, moderation is key! Additionally, it is important to be aware of your fluid consumption. We don’t just mean water. Fluids can include tea, coffee, juice, soda, alcohol, broth, and more. For those with fluid restrictions, please adhere to your prescribed diet. For additional information about fluids and fluid intake click the links below: Medications and Appointments Now is the time to check on the status of your medications! We recommend requesting refills of medications at least two weeks in advance to account for holiday pharmacy hours and office closures. Additionally, appointments may be required for refills if you have not seen your physician recently. Be sure to give yourself time to be seen by your prescribing physician. It is important to note that virtual appointments are still covered through the end of the year for those with traditional Medicare coverage and are included in most private insurance plans. For more information on how to stay healthy through the holidays, check out the additional posts below! As always, stay healthy!
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