Last month, our team had the opportunity to attend the Annual Wellness Summit, hosted by the Wellness Alliance in Austin, Texas. Known as one of the most respected and impactful worksite wellness conferences in the country, the Summit brought together hundreds of wellness professionals to share best practices, exchange ideas, and learn innovative strategies for supporting healthier workplaces.
Become a UF Health Flu-Free MVP when you choose to stay in the game by getting your flu shot this season. This year’s campaign is from Sept. 15-Oct. 31.
Another day, another viral trend. If you haven’t been on social media lately, the newest trend involves a food that may have been a staple for your parents or grandparents – sardines – and it’s called Sardinemaxxing. The term is used to describe the trend of intentionally consuming sardines more frequently to boost overall health. Depending on the influencer, followers are encouraged to add them in their weekly routine or use them as one-food focused approach where they are all that is consumed in a day. Sardinemaxxing offers claims such as better skin, weight loss and increased energy. Although sardines do provide an array of nutrients such as omega 3 fatty acids, protein and vitamin D and vitamin B12, it is important to balance them with other macronutrients to avoid missing out on other important nutrients.
The mid-afternoon slump can slowly creep up and that energy dip can have you reaching for some quick, savory, and sweet. Often those items are desserts, high sugar coffee drinks, candies, or other ultra processed foods that will give us a quick boost but one that will be sustained. Although these foods can be very convenient and easily accessible, the rapid rises and falls in blood sugar levels can soon lead to feelings of fatigue, irritability and even craving of more added sugar.
It is not uncommon for otherwise healthy individuals to experience occasional abdominal bloating. Bloating is the feeling of tightness, pressure, and fullness in your belly which may or may not be accompanied by a visibly swollen abdomen. There are many different factors that may impact whether or not you feel bloated like the foods you eat, your hormones, stress, and even how much air you swallow during activities like chewing gum and eating. Read more to learn more about keeping a healthy gastrointestinal system and how to beat the bloat!
Rice has been a staple for many cultures and half of the world’s population dating back to some 13,000 years ago. Revolving into a cultivated crop around 2800 BC by the early Chinese emperors, rice made its debut and became a permanent guest at many dinner tables. Although there are over 120,000 different varieties of rice, nearly 90% of the population in the United States chooses white rice far more often than any other variety.
As spring arrives, fresh produce like berries, leafy greens, and vegetables begin to reach their peak, offering better flavor, quality, and variety than at other times of the year. These ingredients are special not only because they taste fresher, but because they make it easier to create meals that feel lighter and more vibrant after the colder months.
The morning can set the tone for the rest of the day. Waking up to the incessant call of the alarm clock, mental to-do-lists and other phone notifications can easily set the tone for a chaotic morning. Starting the day with chaos can also lead to unbalanced and erratic moments throughout the day leading to one being unfocused and making haste decisions.
As the weather starts to warm up, staying hydrated matters more than we tend to think about. Most people associate dehydration with feeling extremely thirsty, but it usually shows up before that point. By the time you notice thirst, your body may already be a little low on fluids.
Spring is upon us and it is the perfect time to reset and refresh your kitchen. Throughout the seasons, our pantries, cabinets, and refrigerators can become cluttered and inundated with forgotten items, duplicate purchases, and products that are beyond peak quality. A thorough reset can help reduce waste, ensure foods are still safe for consumption, and save money.
This unique-looking vegetable is fiber-dense and antioxidant-rich, and can support the health of your gut, liver, and heart.
Since 1973, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has designated March to celebrate National Nutrition Month where healthcare providers highlight the vital role of nutrition in overall health. This year’s theme is Discover the Power of Nutrition, which reminds us that food is powerful and influences all aspects of our overall wellbeing. Nutrition not only has the power to fuel our bodies but also the power to prevent and heal. The nutrients provided in lean protein, whole grains, healthy fruits, and vegetables can help provide energy, stabilize blood sugar, boost immunity, increase mental clarity and decrease the risk of heart disease.
