Eating out, Eating Well: How to make smart Choices

In a time when all we do is eat out, it can often be hard to keep a healthy diet. However, you should know that there are many healthy alternatives out there which are readily available. There are a lot of Dining options in New York City. Big portions, too many calories and too much salt can make ordering a challenge. However, small changes in your meal selections could make a BIG difference. Choosing grilled, broiled or baked foods over fried foods or even just choosing water over fruity drinks can help improve your health.

Here are a few tips for you to start making smarter choices:

Downsize! Eat smaller portions.

·         Don’t super size anything. Order the small size whenever you can.

·         Eat only half, and take the other half home for another meal.

·         Share a main course with a friend

·         Let your server know that you are passing on the breadbasket chips.

Eat more Fruits and Vegetables.

·         Choose fruit with your meal instead of chips or pretzels

·         Ask for a side of vegetables or a salad with dressing on the side

Drink water, seltzer or other low-calorie beverages.

·         Skip soda and other sugary beverages, such as sports drinks, “energy” drinks, sweetened tea and lemonade.

·         Compare calories on menu boards. Many coffee and tea drinks are high in calories.

Cut the salt.

·         Ask for sauces and dressings on the side.

·         Choose soy sauce with less sodium.

·         Cut down on cheeses and meats, such as: bacon, ham and salami.

·         Ask for your meal to be prepared without added salt or MSG. You can always salt to taste.

Avoid High Fat foods.

·         Skip the cheese on sandwiches and salads

·         Choose chicken (without skin), fish and lean cut beef and pork.

·         Choose broth-based soup instead of cream based soups.

Maintaining a healthy diet is a very important part of staying in good health. With all this in mind, we want to remind you to be more conscious of what you put in your body. At First Care of New York, we believe everyone’s health is important, which is why we have all our Certified Home Health Aides and Personal Care Aides trained efficiently so that you or your loved ones are getting the right health professionals in your home to provide safe care. If you or someone you know is having difficulty with activities of daily living, please feel free to reach out to us and see how we can help 718-741-5956. Or you can visit our website http://www.1st-care.org/

Beat the Heat!!

Summer is here, and we are experiencing some unusually high temperatures all across the city, First Care of New York wants to remind you, as we did our patients, to make sure you have plenty of fluids at home and try to keep yourself as cool as possible. If you feel you need to go out make sure you have a very cold bottle of ice water handy and take frequent breaks under some shade to allow your body to recover.

One can do many great and fun things as the warm weather approaches. People usually plan outings, visit different places and most people typically take a vacation or some other form of leisure and enjoyable activity. People feel better as the warm weather feels great on our skin and we seem to act like plants by trying to suck up as much sunlight as possible.

However, with the great warmth that approaches one should also plan for some of the burdens that come with the warm weather. We have provided a simple list to keep you safe during this season.

• Drink cool, nonalcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages. (If your doctor generally limits the

amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him how much you should drink

when the weather is hot. Also, avoid extremely cold liquids because they can cause

cramps.)

• Rest.

• Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.

• If possible, seek an air-conditioned environment.

• If you don't have air conditioning, consider visiting an air-conditioned shopping mall or

public library to cool off.

• Keep warm areas ventilation if not cooled. Proper ventilation will promote adequate sweat

evaporation to cool the skin.

• Wear lightweight clothing.

• If possible, remain indoors in the heat of the day.\

• Do not engage in strenuous activities.

• Sunblocks and sunscreens with a protection factor of 15 (SPF 15) can be very helpful when

one is exposed to extreme direct sunlight.

The summer is a time for long sunny days to be enjoyed responsibly. If you know someone that might not be able to care for themselves due to a physical or mental disability, but you still want them to be able to enjoy the summer, consider getting them a certified home health aide. At First Care of New York, we have plenty of certified home health aides and personal care aides who can assist them with many activities of daily living. They can help with bathing, dressing, grooming, cooking and cleaning as well as assist them going places and make sure that that are safe and secure during the summer weather. If you would like more information on our services, please feel free to contact us at (718) 364-7251.

National Blood Donor Month

As you may or may not know, January is National Blood donor month. Many people are uncomfortable with the notion of donating blood because they think it may be painful or they are simply afraid of being able to see blood leaving their body. Although, this may be an uncomfortable experience for some of you, one must think of how meaningful it is that you sacrificed your time and efforts to give blood.  You have to be at least 17 years of age to donate blood or have your parents sign a legal consent form. Those of you who are over the age of 75 can continue to donate blood as long as you meet all donor requirements and present a physician's letter allowing you to donate. Something you might want to consider is that you might not be eligible to donate blood. Check out the chart below to learn about what conditions may make you ineligible.

Condition  and Length of time before you can give blood

1. Not feeling well for any reason :Until symptoms are over
2. Cold, sore throat, respiratory infection, flu: Until 3 days after symptoms are over
3.Travel to an area of the world where malaria is a problem: 12 months after return
4.Certain cases of heart disease :Contact us for medical eligibility at 1-800-688-0900
5.Ears, nose or skin piercing: 12 months after procedure unless
6.Tattoos if applied in NJ, no wait: If elsewhere: 12 months after application
7.Blood transfusion: 12 months after receiving blood
8.Full-term pregnancy,abortion or miscarriage: Six weeks after end of pregnancy
9.Surgery, serious injury: When healing is complete and feeling well
10.Syphilis, gonorrhea: 12 months after treatment completed

11.Have had certain forms of cancer Contact us regarding medical eligibility 1-800-688-0900
This chart is from: http://www.nybloodcenter.org/

There are many other permanent reasons as to why you might not qualify to donate; so I suggest you look at

the website listed above to verify whether or not you do.Donating blood is giving the gift of life. Remember that you could give someone the chance to see another day just by sharing some of your blood with them. This safe process; A sterile needle is used only once for each donor and then discarded. It is also good for you to know that in a study conducted by the Red Cross it was determined that the share of people eligible to donate blood in the United Sates was only 38 percent of the population. Your help is needed! Always remember, if you are living on your own, you are not alone. First Care is always here to provide you with the care you need. We provide the proper care for our clients affected by an array of medical issues by utilizing our Certified Home Health Aides or Personal Care Aides to help our clients with their activities of daily living such as: visiting their doctors regularly, assisting with medication reminders and also preparing meals with the dietary necessity to help lower blood pressure and other ailments. If you or a loved one can no longer manage on your own or are having health issues due to medical conditions, do not hesitate to give us a call to find out how we may be able to help. Our number is 718-741-5956.