Holiday Health Watch

by Abby McGuire | Saginaw Valley Family Magazine

Monday December 01, 2008, 10:50 AM

Q: Is it safe for diabetics to enjoy holiday treats at family gatherings?

A: Sweets aren't out of the question for most people with diabetes, but portion control is necessary when eating holiday dinners and desserts, according to the American Diabetes Association.

In the past, diabetics were told to avoid sugary foods completely, but research has shown the total amount of carbohydrates a person eats affects blood glucose levels more than the type of carbohydrates, the American Diabetes Association says.

Diabetics need to be especially mindful of the total amount of carbohydrates they eat. Holiday staples like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and dinner rolls are carb-rich. In order to indulge in a small dessert, diabetics should eat small portions of other high carbohydrate foods. Don't hesitate to ask your physician for further recommendations.

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Stress, Diet, Exercise - Striking a Pre-Holiday Balance

by Abby McGuire | Saginaw Valley Family Magazine

Saturday November 01, 2008, 9:36 PM

How can I prepare for a fun and stress-free holiday season?

"It's hard to make it stress-free, but you can reduce your stress level if you plan ahead, prioritize, and if you realize that not everything has to be perfect," says Mary Baukus, MSW, LMSW, clinical supervisor, clinical social worker with Westlund Guidance Clinic in Saginaw.

Don't stress about the dates you'll be able to celebrate the holidays on. "If you can't celebrate Christmas until the 26th - that's OK. Don't forget what you're trying to accomplish, rather than when," Baukus says.

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Sex, Diets, Prescriptions - Keeping Teens Safe

by Abby McGuire | Saginaw Valley Family Magazine

Friday October 03, 2008, 11:15 AM

Q: How can I encourage my teen to abstain from sex, yet make sure she's informed about safe sex practices and contraception, without sounding like I'm sending mixed messages?
A: Abstinence is the safest choice for teens and makes the most sense, but teaching kids abstinence-only doesn't prevent pregnancies, says Jacqueline Schultz, women's health nurse practitioner with the Saginaw Department of Public Health.

"If kids are going to make an informed decision, they have to have accurate information. The more information they have, the more they realize the only safe sex is abstinence," she says.

Schultz suggests parents inform themselves about sex and contraception and then talk to their teens and provide literature on the subject. She also suggests talking to the child's school to find out what they're teaching and what they aren't, so that parents can fill in the gaps. Most schools teach abstinence only, Schulz says.

"Nobody's saying talking to your kids about sex is easy. But the education has to start at home," says Jon Becker, community information coordinator with the Midland County Department of Public Health.

An uncomplicated way to broach the subject is to talk about people in the media (i.e. the recent birth of Jamie Lynn Spears' baby) to talk to kids about sex. Ask them, "If you got pregnant, would you be ready to become a wife and a mother at 17?"

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Reduce Stress, Help Kids Finish Homework and Prevent Colds

by Abby McGuire | Saginaw Valley Family Magazine

Monday September 08, 2008, 11:50 AM

Q: How can I relieve stress during this hectic back-to-school season?
A: One of the best ways to relieve stress is to prevent it, says Diane Bedford, M.A., L.L.P.C., C.A.C.C., outpatient therapist and coordinator of family life education with Family and Children's Services of Midland. Bedford recommends getting everyone in your family into a routine for doing homework, baths and meals.

"It's important that you're making sure you have your schedules ahead of time and have everything in order, instead of having everything thrown at you," she says. "It will make your kids more relaxed and comfortable, and if they're relaxed and comfortable - you are."

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Review Your Family's Habits for Back to School

by Abby McGuire | Saginaw Valley Family Magazine

Monday August 04, 2008, 10:20 AM

Q:How can I ensure my child has time to eat a healthy breakfast and lunch on school days?

A: "Make breakfast a priority," says Susan Olguin, Registered Dietitian. with the Saginaw County WIC program. "Even if your child says he isn't hungry, it doesn't mean he wouldn't eat. It's the parent's job to provide healthy meals and snacks, and the child's job to decide what to eat and how much."

Olguin suggests having your child do his morning routine in the same order each day and making breakfast a part of that routine. Breakfast doesn't have to be complicated to be healthy. Aim for a grain, a fruit, and a dairy, Olguin says. Cereal with milk and bananas does the trick, as does peanut butter, toast and a glass of juice.

For the lunch time crunch, pack your child's food in easy to open containers. Also, be sure to send things that are easy to eat, like cut up fruits and veggies. Olguin also recommends packing your child's lunch the night before, so you're not tempted to toss in packaged convenience foods, instead of fresh foods, during the morning rush.

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Keep Summertime Fun by Preventing and Preparing for Emergencies

by Abby McGuire | Saginaw Valley Family Magazine

Sunday June 01, 2008, 1:27 AM

Q: How do I prepare my family for an emergency?
A: "Step one is to be informed about the resources you could access in your community in an emergency," says Jon Becker, coordinator for the Office of Public Information with the Midland County Department of Public Health. Tri County residents should have a plan of action should the area be hit with a flood, tornado, or chemical spill, Becker says.

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Tips For Feeding Your Baby During the First Year

by Lori Robinson | Saginaw Valley Family Magazine

Friday May 02, 2008, 8:32 PM

Q: What is the best way to feed my baby during the first six months?
A: Babies are born to drink their mother's milk, suggests Susan Olguin, registered dietitian with the Saginaw County WIC Program at the Saginaw County Department of Public Health.

Until they are about six months old, they should consume breast milk or formula.
At that time, the first solid food parents should introduce is rice cereal, because it's the least allergenic, she advises.

"WIC advises this because that's what the American Academy of Pediatrics advises," she adds.

Other single grains parents can introduce to their babies at this time include barley and oatmeal. But the first food source for babies at this age is breast milk or formula.

"At first when they are hungry, they should get the breast milk or formula," Olguin advises. "Then 11⁄2-2 hours later they can have the solids."

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Planning key to successful pregnancies

by Saginaw Valley Family Magazine

Tuesday April 01, 2008, 11:33 AM

Q: How do I prepare for a successful pregnancy?

A: Start planning your new baby's beginning at least three months before you plan to get pregnant, advises Marilyn Laurus, Maternal and Child Services Manager for the Bay County Health Department.

One of the first things planning parents should do is to make an appointment with an obstetrician to discuss any medications that are being taken, as well as the mother's and the father's medical history, she says.

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New Year's resolution: Your children's healthiest year ever!

by Dr. Sajeda Nusrat | St. Mary's of Michigan

Thursday January 03, 2008, 2:52 PM

Here's to a New Year!

If only kids came with instructions, we could be perfect parents. Unfortunately, there are no instructions and therefore no perfect parents. We try to do our best raising our families but the busyness of life gets in the way. The problem rests in the fact that sometimes we do not have enough information to make the best decisions. I am a firm believer that "when you know better -- you can do better."

Here are a few 'resolution' ideas for a happy and healthier New Year:

Choose an enjoyable activity that models for your children how to cope with daily stress.

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How to decide if your child is too sick to go to school

by Dr. Sajeda Nusrat/St. Mary's of Michigan Primary Care Network

Tuesday December 04, 2007, 10:01 AM

'Tis the time of year for sick children, but when your child says he/she isn't feeling well, how do you decide whether or not to send him/her to school?

Here are a few guidelines to help you decide what is best for your child and the other children at school as well.

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November is American Diabetes Month

by Health advice by Dr. Stephanie Duggan, St. Mary's of Michigan emergency physician

Thursday November 01, 2007, 3:02 PM

With the obesity epidemic spreading through our country, it is also bringing with it diabetes, a complex disease with many forms and devastating complications. Diabetes is at epidemic proportions in our community. In many cases this is being attributed to our more sedentary life style and eating habits. We are seeing diabetes in populations that in the past has been rarely seen, especially in children.

Rising obesity rates put kids at risk

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