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Meriden Health Department News and Events
What’s a Mom to do? Healthy Eating tips for families
The Women, Infants, Children (WIC) program at the Meriden Health Department recognizes that healthy eating is hard to do at times, especially for busy moms trying to make healthy eating decisions for their families. WIC offers the following ten tips for moms (and dads) to follow in recognition of National Nutrition Month:
Make a mealtime family time. Eat one meal together as a family. Children are more likely to eat fruits, vegetables, and dairy foods at meals shared with their parents.
Get the family involved in meal planning and preparation. Have your children help you in the kitchen- it can be a positive learning experience! Children are more likely to eat foods that they helped to prepare.
Be a good role model. Set good examples for your children. If you tell your children to eat healthy make sure you eat healthy as well. It’s a family affair!
Try something new. Include one new food item or recipe each week. This will add a little variety to your family’s diet. For example, cut up fruit in small pieces to make it easier for children to eat. You can also serve fruit with yogurt so children can use it as a dip.
Freshness and quality are key. Purchasing fruits and vegetables when they are in season is best – but now that fruit and veggies are shipped from all over the world many are available year round. Watch for sales, and comparison shop to stretch your food dollar.
Stash healthy snacks. Keep healthy snacks on hand. Have them in your purse, diaper bag, car or desk drawer. By carrying “portable nutrition”, you won’t be tempted to grab unhealthy snacks for your children and yourself when you are out and about.
Think creatively to adapt to your family’s schedule. Pick a certain meal time that is convenient for most family members – and stick with it!
Face dining out challenges head-on. Choose restaurants where you can mix and match foods to get the best nutritional value.
Be informed when dining out. Gather information about the restaurant menu before going out to eat. Visit their website or call the restaurant ahead of time to find out what types of food choices they have on their menu.
Get help from a nutrition expert. Visit a registered dietician (RD). They can help you address challenges such as picky eaters and making healthy meal choices on a budget.
For more information on the WIC program, please call 630-4245, and visit the following websites for more healthy eating tips:
http://www.fda.gov
http://www.usda.gov
http://www.eatright.org (Source of information for this article)
Bicycle helmets available at the Meriden Health Department
The Meriden Health Department bicycle helmets available for purchase by the public. The cost is $7.50 each. Sizes include toddler, child, youth, and adult. Different colors and styles are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Helmets are sold by size. For a proper fit measure you or your child’s head. Using a tape-measure, place the end of the tape one inch above the eyebrow and go all the way around your head to get the proper measurement (you may need someone to help you!). Take more than one measurement to make sure it is correct
Wear a bicycle helmet each and every time you ride a bicycle. A proper fitting helmet can reduce the risk of a serious head injury from a fall.
Wearing a helmet will not only prevent you from injury, but it’s the law! Any child under the age of 15 in Connecticut is required to wear a helmet every time they are on a bicycle.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when you are riding your bike:
·Helmets should sit firmly yet comfortably on the head, and should not move more then an inch in any direction.
·The chin strap should be snug.
·Don’t wear baseball hats or any type of hat underneath a helmet.
· Don’t put stickers on the helmet. This can prevent the helmet from sliding on the ground if you fall and can result in a neck injury.
· If you fall off your bicycle and hit your head it is recommended that you replace your helmet. The helmet may be damaged, and will lose its ability to absorb shock if you fall again.
The Health Department is located at 165 Miller Street, and is open from 8:00am-5:00pm Monday through Friday. Please call the Meriden Health Department at 630-4234 if you have any questions.
Sources of information: www.kidshealth.org, www.helmets.org/guide.htm, http://www.ctsafekids.org/pdf_files/BicycleInjury_Facts.pdf
Meriden Health Department offers Healthy Relationships Program
The Meriden Health Department will be offering a confidential, free program for HIV positive Latina women called Healthy Relationships. The program will start on March 7, and will be held from 12:00-2:00pm at the Health Department, 165 Miller Street.
During this interactive program, women will learn how to reduce the stress of disclosing their status to their family, friends, and partners, as well as learn how to build healthier and safer relationships. Participants will also have the opportunity to share experiences and practice the decision making and problem solving skills learned in each session.
The program will be held for 6-weeks. Lunch will be served at each session. Anyone interested in the program should call Abby Torres, HIV Counselor, at 630-4176.
Free women’s quit smoking support group being offered
The Meriden Health Department will be hosting a free group for women who are looking to quit smoking. Pregnant women and those planning to become pregnant are highly encouraged to attend. The group will start on Tuesday, March 13, and will be held from 10:00am - 12:00pm. The group will be held at the Meriden Health Department, 165 Miller Street.
In addition to learning tips and skills on how to quit and stay smoke free, participants will be given the opportunity to take part in fun stress-reduction activities. These will include Tai Chi (a mind-body relaxation exercise), low fat cooking demonstrations, jewelry making, and learning how to start an exercise program.
Light, healthy snacks will be served at each meeting. Free babysitting will be provided.
For more information, please call Debbie at 630-4104.
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