Feeling confused and conflicted about all the nutrition advice you find online? Here are the dos and don'ts to healthy dieting…
 
When it comes to weight loss, there’s no lack of fad diets promising fast results. These diets may sound perfect… until you read the fine print. Hundreds of diets are being promoted every day as the "best" approach to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle, however, all of

Happy Earth Day! Earth Day is a global event that takes place every year on April 22nd and is used to remind people of the importance of taking care of planet Earth. At Community Care Physicians, we know that a healthy planet is important to our patients’ health. When we mistreat the earth, we can cause a lot of harm to our own health, such as respiratory issues from air pollution. So when you help your planet by keeping it clean, you act as a doctor by helping the Earth stay healthy! Here are a few tips for how you can play a part in keeping our planet happy and healthy.

How You Can Help Our Planet

There are several ways you can “play doctor” for your planet. These tips can be fun, family-friendly, and can even be a great form of exercise! Try to encourage your friends and family to join in on these tips. Remember, when you participate in taking care of the Earth, it sets a good example for those around you.

Recycle and Reuse

• Recycling bins are usually easily accessible and most of the time they are completely free of charge.
• Returning bottle deposits is also a good way to ensure that the plastic is being reused in a safe way. If you don’t have time to return your bottles, chances are someone else could use the extra change! Try donating them.
• Buy rechargeable batteries instead of single use ones.
• Join your local library! Borrowing books is a great way to cut down on waste.
• Cut down on the amount of plastic you use by using a reusable water bottle instead and bring reusable tote bags with you when you go shopping.
• Think about buying toys that are made to last to cut down on the amount of plastic you eventually will throw away.

Improve the Outdoors

Take time to clean a park near you – roll up your sleeves and put those garden gloves on! Not only will your community look nicer, but it’ll help cut down on litter where it shouldn’t be. Gardening is also an excellent way to improve your community. Plants are fantastic for the environment and gardening can be a great form of exercise. Not only are flowers and plants enjoyable to look at, they produce oxygen, which we need in the air we breathe. Try joining your local community garden if you don’t have access to your own soil. Community gardens are a great way to bring the community together and allows you access to fresh, locally grown food!

Dispose of Garbage in the Correct Bins

Even though it can be annoying to hold onto your trash, it is important to dispose of your garbage in a trash can or, better yet, a recycling bin if it can be recycled! When litter is left on the ground, it can end up in storm drains, which will eventually end up in the ocean. A way in which you can help is by volunteering to pick up trash. Try starting a local group and work together to clean the area – working together can make even cleaning trash fun!

Healthy Earth, Healthy Life

When we contribute to keeping our planet healthy, we are taking care of our own health as well. We only have one planet, so we need to make sure it’s in the best condition for us to live in. If you have kids, try to encourage them to follow your lead by setting a good example for them. Earth Day should be a fun day! Take the time to look around your community and see what might need improvements in terms of pollution. For example, at CCP we regularly recycle and properly dispose of medical waste. Your contribution can be as simple as picking up an empty coffee cup and placing it in a trashcan. We strongly encourage you to think of how you can help the planet!

Sources:
https://www.earthday.org/campaigns/campaign-for-communities/create-your-own-act-of-green/
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/science/green-tips/#green-tips-tree.jpg

these diets you see trending online encourage you to eliminate food groups and necessary nutrients. Many diet plans you find online lack the vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, dietary fibers and carbohydrates you need in everyday life. By not receiving those necessary nutrients, you are putting your body at risk for serious health problems in the long run. 
 
The key to achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle isn't about short-term dietary changes, it's about healthy eating, physical activity, and balancing those together.

Healthy Eating

A healthy eating plan consists of:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole Grains
• Fat-Free/Low-Fat Milk Products
• Lean Meats
• Poultry 
• Fish
• Beans
• Eggs
• Nuts

By incorporating these foods into your everyday diet and consuming foods that are low in saturated fats, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, and added sugars, you will put yourself on the right path to a healthy diet. Healthy eating doesn't have to be boring, it's all about balance. You don't have to give up your favorite comfort food for the sake of a healthy lifestyle. You can still enjoy all your favorite foods time and time again by balancing them out with healthier foods and more physical activity.

Exercise

Physical activity is important for good health, especially for those trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy lifestyle.  This doesn't mean you need to sign up for a gym membership. There are easy and small changes you can make in your daily life to increase physical activity like:

• Instead of driving, try walking or cycling to your destination.
• In commute? Get off a stop earlier and walk the remainder of the way.
• Start walking your children to school or your pet around the neighborhood.
• Stop trying to find that perfect spot while running errands, park far and walk the distance.
• On lunch break? Go for a walk.
• Skip the escalator or elevator and take the stairs.
• Have a question for a coworker? Walk to their desk rather than sending an email.
• Instead of opting for the movies or going out to eat on the weekends, plan a hike or a day at the local park.

These simple steps can go a long way. By exercising a minimum of 30 minutes a day can lead to a healthier state of mind.
 
It's never too late to jumpstart a healthy lifestyle. It's very important for us to not only treat people when they're sick, but also to keep our community healthy. The Patient Education and Wellness Program of Community Care Physicians brings together four key elements to help you achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle: weight management, medical nutrition therapy, diabetes education, and LiFE® group classes. For more information or to make an appointment, please call: (518) 713-5347.

Source:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9476-fad-diets
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/index.html
https://www.hhs.gov/fitness/be-active/importance-of-physical-activity/index.html