Food Thoughts News | Columbus Community Hospital

CCH dietitians offer food for thought in 2024

Columbus Community Hospital is offering "Food Thoughts," a free series of weekly educational classes led by the hospital's dietitians.

Making school lunches fun

The lunch your children eat at school is important because it helps them concentrate in the classroom. It also gives them the energy and nutrients they need for proper growth and development.

Nutrient needs as we age

Good nutrition and healthy food choices help us live healthier lives at any age, but some of our nutrient needs change a bit as we grow older.

Gardening has become more common, especially during the pandemic. Growing vegetables is a great way to involve the family and obtain the freshest food available. Here are some tips on how to use fresh garden produce.

Eating well while traveling

Taking food with you on a trip is a great way to choose healthy foods and save money. Remember to wash your produce before packing, and be sure to keep cold food in a cooler with some ice.

Nutrition and high blood pressure

When there is excess sodium in the body, the kidneys retain fluid, putting an extra burden on the blood vessels, heart and kidneys. Extra sodium can lead to high blood pressure.

Am I lactose intolerant?

People with lactose intolerance are not able to fully digest the sugar, called lactose, in milk. They have diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, bloating and gas 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods that contain lactose.

Stay healthy eating outdoors

It is the time of year when you plan activities such as cookouts and picnics. Dining in the outdoors can be a fun experience, but you still should keep health and safety in mind.

Involve children in meal preparation

Now that school is out, you can ask your children to help with planning meals and food preparation. Cooking is a skill that will be valuable throughout your child’s life.

How to help your child maintain a healthy weight

Children who are overweight are at risk for many health problems, including Type 2 diabetes, elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, sleep disorders and respiratory problems. Here are some things you can do to help your child maintain a healthy weight.

Going gluten-free is not for everyone

Gluten-free products are popping up on grocery shelves everywhere. About 2% of the population has celiac disease and must avoid all foods with gluten, which is a severe condition that may affect the digestion and absorption of crucial nutrients.

Beware of added sugars

Sugars such as granulated sugar, brown sugar, high-fructose corn syrup and sucrose are considered added sugars. This means they make foods taste sweet but provide no nutritional value. Added sugars contrast with natural sugars, such as fructose found in fruit and lactose found in milk, which offer added nutrition.

Are you receiving enough iron?

Iron is a mineral needed to pump oxygen throughout the body so the cells can produce energy. It is necessary to make hemoglobin, which is a part of the red blood cells. The hemoglobin picks up oxygen in the lungs and drops it off in the tissues, then picks up carbon dioxide and carries it back to the lungs to be exhaled.

What’s the hype about whole grains?

For starters, whole grains are packed with nutrients. Unlike refined grains, whole grains consist of three parts: bran, germ and endosperm. When a grain is refined, only the endosperm is left. The bran and the germ are the parts of the grain that are healthy and nutritious.

This National Nutrition Month, learn to personalize your plate

Now is a great time to find the foods and patterns that work for you, because March is National Nutrition Month and the theme is “Personalize Your Plate.”

How to get your five a day of fruits and vegetables

Dietary guidelines recommend a minimum of 4-5 cups of fruits and vegetables a day, but that can be a challenge for some people to meet.

Food storage safety tips

Proper storage is important to keep your food safe and at its highest quality.

Let’s talk triglycerides

Understanding triglycerides is important for your health. After all, having high triglycerides is a common problem for many Americans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that a quarter of U.S. adults have elevated triglyceride levels.

Keeping your heart healthy

February is American Heart Month, so it is a good time to examine your lifestyle to see if there are small changes you can make to reduce your risk of heart disease.

Go green and eat healthy with leafy vegetables

Leafy vegetables are a go-to choice for a healthy diet because they are low in calories and high in nutrients.

Cooking healthy at home

Ordering takeout or going through a fast food drive-thru might seem easier and less time-consuming than making home-cooked meals. But resisting that temptation and choosing to make your own meals at home can benefit your health.

Tips for eating healthier when ordering takeout or food delivery

When you need a night off from cooking and are trying to avoid crowds during the COVID-19 pandemic, meal delivery and takeout can be a convenient alternative.

Setting lifestyle goals for 2021

A new year often makes people think of setting New Year’s resolutions. Instead, consider setting small goals to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Making healthy beverage choices in the new year

Many people look at their health goals in the new year and losing weight is often at the top of the list. If you want to drop pounds in 2021, here’s a tip: Look at what you drink to help cut empty calories.

How to safely store and prepare leftovers

Saving leftovers is a great way to avoid overeating. It also saves money and fights food waste. Making larger portions of food can also save time in the kitchen when you plan to eat leftovers for another meal.

Eating well to boost your immune system

Your immune system helps protect you from seasonal illnesses and other health problems, and good nutrition is essential for a strong immune system.

Columbus Community Hospital offers weight loss and healthy lifestyle program online

The next CHIP program will begin Jan. 4. Two hour-long sessions will be available virtually at noon and 5:30 p.m. Cost is $220, which includes class material, lectures and lab work. Registration is required by Dec. 28 and can be done by contacting Danielle Frewing, director of Occupational Health Services, at dafrewing@columbushosp.org or 402-562-4480.

Making holiday traditions healthy

Traditions are a typical part of the holidays, especially when it comes to food. Though it is difficult to know what kind of gathering we will be able to have during the pandemic, now is a good time to think about your family traditions and ways to make them healthier. Often it just involves making a few small changes.

Lifestyle changes to help you cope with the stress of the pandemic

The stress of the COVID-19 pandemic and the way it has changed our lives may be causing you and your family members to experience stress. You may be feeling anxious or depressed, struggling to get a good night’s sleep or experiencing digestive issues.

Holiday food safety tips

Enjoying food is one of the highlights of the holiday season so the last thing you want is a food-borne illness to put a damper on the celebration.

Healthy holiday parties and meals

‘Tis the season of holiday celebrations and though you will likely be celebrating differently this year because of COVID-19, you can still have fun.