Q&A
I love salty foods and eat them daily.
I’m healthy, so is my salty diet a problem?
It could be. Eating foods high in salt (sodium) increases
your chance of developing high blood pressure, which
can lead to heart disease and stroke. To avoid such
problems, aim for less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of
salt (about 1 teaspoon) a day. Most Americans eat far
more than that, as many frozen, canned and processed
foods contain sodium as a flavoring and preservative.
To cut back on salt, read food labels to compare sodium
content. Choose fresh foods over processed foods. Avoid
salted snacks, ham, bacon and luncheon meats, and
choose foods labeled “low-sodium” or “no salt added.”
How can I help protect my baby from
sudden infant death syndrome?
Make sure you and other caregivers put him to
sleep on his back and dress him in lightweight
sleep clothing. Don’t allow smoking near your
baby because secondhand smoke has been
linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Your baby should sleep in a safety-approved
crib with a firm mattress—one without soft bedding,
pillows or stuffed animals. At night, keep
his crib within easy reach of your own bed.
Finally, new research shows that keeping a fan
running near your sleeping baby may also help
protect against SIDS. Remember: Back to Sleep!
What’s a good way to tone my stomach?
Pass on those kooky contraptions for trimming your waistline. One of the best ways to get rid of abdominal fat is actually quite pedestrian: walking. Research shows walking and other aerobic exercises can help women burn away stomach bulge, if done regularly. However, exercises that just tone your abdominal muscles do have a benefit. By strengthening your stomach, they help prevent back pain.Here’s one to try called the partial sit-up:
- Lie on your back with your knees bent.
- Fold your hands across your chest, and slowly lift your head and shoulders off the floor.
- Work your way up to 30 repetitions.
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