How should I handle my child’s temper tantrums?
Tantrums commonly occur between ages 12 months and 4 years. Keep these things in mind when confronting a fuming child. (1) Stay calm. Tantrums are a normal part of your child’s development. (2) Try to give the tantrum as little attention as possible. Use distraction to help your child focus on something else. (3) Don’t tell your child he or she is “bad.” Wait until your child is ready to be consoled. You can help avoid tantrums by asking direct questions, such as, “Are you hungry?” Keep snacks handy to help ward off hunger. Humor can also help defuse a tantrum. If your child has severe or frequent tantrums, talk with your pediatrician.
Should I be getting 30 minutes
or 60 minutes of exercise a day?
A recent report from the Institute of Medicine recommends getting 60 minutes of exercise a day to maintain a healthy weight and optimal cardiovascular health. However, experts from the American College of Sports Medicine are concerned that recommending 60 minutes of exercise a day could be discouraging for many people. While exercising for 60 minutes may provide the maximum health benefits, there is a lot of evidence that 30 minutes on most days will reduce your risk for heart disease and other diseases. Bottom line? Aim to get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. Any more will be that much better for your health.
Is it true that eating fried potatoes
can increase the risk for cancer?
Possibly. Several recent studies have shown that when certain foods are fried, a chemical reaction takes place that creates a possible cancer-causing substance called acrylamide. The highest levels have been found in potato chips and french fries. Acrylamide has been proven to cause cancer in animals, but this has not yet been confirmed in people. However, concern is great enough that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is making the study of acrylamide a high research priority. Regardless of these findings, there are other good reasons to cut down on fried potatoes and other fried foods: Eating a high-fat diet can lead to obesity, which is linked to a higher risk for certain cancers. Your best bet is to eat fewer fried foods, including potatoes, and watch for more information on the FDA Web site at www.fda.gov.
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