Seasonal "trimming" ideas for the holiday season

TORONTO, Dec. 1 /CNW/ - The vision of sugar plums can be a worry more than a pleasant anticipation this holiday season for those trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. All of that great food, much of it high in fat and calories, can wreak havoc on the waistline for even the most health-conscious individuals.
Dietitians of Canada and the Canadian Diabetes Association have teamed up to bring you their top ten tips for healthy holiday living.

1. Use the Nutrition Facts table on packaged food products to compare the nutrients in similar foods and make lower fat, lower calorie choices. As of December 15, most packaged foods in grocery retail stores must carry a standardized Nutrition Facts table providing consumers with a core list of nutrients. Visit www.healthyeatingisinstore.ca to find fact sheets and Frequently Asked Question that will help make you a wise consumer when it comes to label reading. You can even take a fun tour through a Virtual Grocery Store at http://www.healthyeatingisinstore.ca/virtual_grocery.asp to learn and test your label-reading skills.

2. Keep your eye on portion sizes - it's often not what but how much you eat that can make the difference to overindulgence. Use Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating as guide to serving sizes or view a Healthy Portion Guide at http://www.diabetes.ca/Section_About/portionguide.asp

3. Make health and road safety a priority when serving holiday beverages. Lower-fat eggnogs, "virgin" Caesars, sparkling water and cranberry juice spritzers without the alcohol are great choices in keeping with the season.

4. Use fresh zucchini or cucumber spears, broccoli flowerets, carrot curls or endive with a low fat dip or spread such as hummus, yogurt or fresh salsa, rather than chips and cream-laden dips.

5. Serve crispy pita triangles, flatbread and homemade melba toast as alternatives to salty, high fat snack crackers.

6. When it comes to holiday entertaining check out the delicious recipes, chosen with health in mind, in Dietitians of Canada cookbook Cook Great Food http://www.dietitians.ca/resources/cgf_public_orderform.pdf or the Complete Canadian Diabetes Cookbook from the Canadian Diabetes Association. These are great gifts for those whose health you care about.

7. A beautiful array of exotic fresh fruits is a wonderful way to end a meal - pineapple, kiwi, mango, pomegranate, mandarin oranges and grapes are a feast for the eyes and taste buds.

8. Make physical activity part of the holiday fun to provide a balance to eating. Plan a cross-country ski afternoon or a hike combined with a potluck with friends.

9. Give a gift of health that will last the whole year - an exercise ball is great for stretching; an exercise book or video with an exercise mat; golf lessons for the duffer; some light weights for strength training; a pedometer for someone who enjoys walking.

10. Track your eating and activity level over the holiday season to help you stay on track. Dietitians of Canada EATracker at www.dietitians.ca/eatracker is a convenient and easy to use tool.

 Make these healthy living tips part of your routine the whole year round - not just for the holidays. Small changes over time will make the greatest impact on your health. Dietitians of Canada is the nation-wide voice of over 5000 dietitians, bringing trusted information on food and nutrition to Canadians. For further information on nutrition and healthy eating, visit the Dietitians of Canada award-winning website at www.dietitians.ca.

The Canadian Diabetes Association works to prevent diabetes and improve the quality of life for those affected, through research, education, service and advocacy. With a presence in more than 150 communities, the Canadian Diabetes Association's strong network of assistance includes volunteers, employees, healthcare professionals and partners. The Canadian Diabetes Association - Know who to turn to at www.diabetes.ca. To view two healthy and tasty holiday recipes and images, visit http://www.diabetes.ca/images/cheesecake.jpg

To learn more healthy living tips for the holidays and the whole year contact the following registered dietitians in your area:

British Columbia Heather McColl (604) 881-3690
Ramona Josephson (604) 266-5517
Alberta Anar Jamal (Calgary) (403) 943-3114
Caroline McAuley (North AB) (780) 853-5270
Saskatchewan Victoria Jurgens (306) 747-4272
Manitoba Jorie Janzen (204) 669-0672
Ontario Doug Cook (Toronto) (416) 864-6060 X 6113
Marisa Leblanc (Ottawa) (613) 562-4262
Cathy Richards (Kingston) (613) 547-3438
Nova Scotia Elizabeth Frank (902) 645-8946
Newfoundland Glendora Boland (709) 752-4142

More Healthy Holiday Tips

Active living gift suggestions

 - A gift certificate for a health club membership. Call your local fitness facility to see what they offer in the way of dancing, yoga, Pilates, or martial arts lessons. Water aerobics are good for those with balance problems.
 - A gift certificate for some stress-busting time at a spa.
 - An elastic band for resistance training or jump rope for aerobic exercise make great stocking stuffers.
 - A gift certificate to a sports store for some new walking shoes for someone who enjoys walking.

Healthy and tasty treats for giving

- Gourmet popcorn or spiced nuts
- Services that deliver fresh fruit every month (e.g. Florida grapefruit in December, apples in September)
- A basket or tray of fresh or dried fruit and nuts
- A basket with a special recipe and the gadgets, pan or special ingredients to make it (such as dried cranberries for a lamb tagine, the tagine pan and special garlic press)
- Selection of tasty lower fat cheeses (available in gourmet shops or specialty section of the supermarket) and some low fat tasty crackers such as crisp breads or bread sticks.
- Specialty kitchen items such as an oil mister, gourmet vinegars or chutneys
- Selection of specialty teas
- A selection of good quality or unusual spices or a spice rack

More Entertaining Ideas

- If going to a party, keep the rest of the day's food selections healthier. Select foods like high fibre cereals, non fat milk or yogurt, vegetable soups, cut up veggies such as red, yellow, and
green peppers, baby carrots, small pieces of fruit such as apples, bananas or mandarins. These foods can provide a feeling of fullness and decrease the temptation to over-eat.
- Avoid skipping meals. Starving yourself before a party or get-together increases the odds that you will overeat.
- Don't be fooled by promotions for sugar free chocolates and sugar-free candies. They are usually as high (or higher) in fat, but not as tasty. Limit the number, but enjoy a really great
quality chocolate.
- Try 10 or 15 minute brisk walks twice a day with available family members or choose another form of activity that everyone enjoys. Plan active play dates instead of the movies where you are basically sitting and eating high calorie foods with very little nutritional value.

 

Health Canada approves Pfizer's Lipitor(R) to reduce risk of heart attack and stroke for people with diabetes

KIRKLAND, QC, Dec. 6 /CNW/ - Pfizer Canada Inc. announced today that Health Canada has approved the cholesterol-lowering therapy Lipitor(R) (atorvastatin calcium) for the reduction of the risk of heart attack and stroke for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension without clinically evident coronary heart disease but with other risk factors. The approval is based on the findings of the Collaborative Atorvastatin Diabetes Study (CARDS). CARDS involved more than 2,800 patients with type 2 diabetes, no history of heart disease, and relatively-low levels of cholesterol.

The study showed that patients who took Lipitor had a 37 per cent reduction in major cardiovascular events, which included heart attacks and stroke. In fact, 48 per cent fewer Lipitor treated patients experienced strokes compared to those who received placebo. The findings of CARDS support the benefits of cholesterol control as an important diabetes management strategy. For people with diabetes, aggressive treatment of blood glucose, as well as the intensive management of cholesterol and blood pressure levels can prevent or significantly delay some of the medical complications associated with diabetes.
 

For 2005, CSA International has also brought back its fun and interactive online Holiday Safety Quiz for all of the family to enjoy

Decorating do's and don'ts to help ensure a safe holiday season CSA International would like to remind everyone to practice safety around the home this holiday season by following these simple tips to help ensure indoor and outdoor safety:

1. All is bright - Indoor lighting safety tips
 
- To protect, inspect: Carefully inspect holiday light strings each year and discard any with frayed cords, cracked lamp holders or loose connections.
- Lights unplugged: Unplug light strings before replacing bulbs and check to ensure replacement bulbs match the voltage and wattage of the original bulb.
- Size it up: Ensure that bulb reflectors are the right size for the light string.
- Lights out: Always turn off holiday lights when you leave the house unattended or when going to bed.
- Find the CSA International certification mark: When purchasing light strings, extension cords and electrical decorations, look for the CSA International certification mark, which provides assurance that the products comply with applicable standards for safety and performance.
- All wrapped up: After the holidays, store lights and decorations in the original packaging, as they likely contain manufacturer's instructions on replacement bulbs and details for proper product use.
- Don't get burned: Do not use open flames or candles on or near flammable materials such as wreaths, natural trees or paper decorations.
- For the office: - All is bright, but not all night: Ensure that decorative lights are turned off after business hours
- Don't be tacky: Never tack or staple lighting strings or extension cords to the wall or cubicle
- No strings attached: Avoid hanging decorations from fire sprinklers, blocking exit corridors, or obstructing exit signs, fire extinguishers and hose cabinets with decorations

2. Walking in a winter wonderland - outdoor safety tips

- Power down: Before working with outdoor wiring, turn off the electricity to the supply outlet and unplug the connection.
- Look for the CSA International certification mark: Ensure that light strings, cords, spotlights and floodlights are certified by CSA International and marked for outdoor use or wet locations.
- High and dry: When hanging lights outdoors, keep electrical connectors above ground, out of puddles and snow, and away from metal eaves troughs.
- Hang with care: Use insulated fasteners rather than metal nails or tacks to hold light strings in place.
- Pack away for another holiday: Remove outdoor lights promptly after the holiday season to avoid damage caused by extended exposure to harsh weather conditions.
- Keep good time: Use an outdoor timer certified by CSA International to switch lights on and off. Lights should be turned on after 7 p.m. to avoid the electricity rush hour.
- The right receptacles: Whenever possible, connect all outdoor lighting into receptacles protected by weatherproof ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). These can provide protection from electric shock by sensing ground leakage and cutting electrical power.

3. Holiday housekeeping - indoor safety tips
 
- Gas fireplaces
- Beware of broken glass: Do not use your gas fireplace if the glass panel is removed, cracked or broken. Glass panels and frame assemblies should be replaced only by a qualified service person.
- Buy the Blue Flame: When purchasing or installing a gas fireplace, check for the mark of an accredited certification organization such as the Blue Flame mark from CSA International. This indicates the fireplace meets applicable national standards.
- Carbon-monoxide alarms - Level it: Install at least one carbon-monoxide (CO) alarm near bedrooms. Use more than one CO alarm if sleeping areas are located on different levels of your home.
- Respect the rules: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing and maintaining your CO alarms.
- Buy the Blue Flame: When purchasing a CO alarm, check for the mark of an accredited certification organization such as the Blue Flame and CSA 6.19-01 reference mark from CSA International. This indicates it meets applicable national standards.
- Smoke Alarms - Sound the alarm: Test your smoke alarms monthly to make sure they work. One smoke alarm is not enough. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Only working smoke alarms can give you the precious seconds you may need to escape a fire.
- Basement and garage - Keep it clean: To help prevent CO hazards in your home, have a qualified heating contractor perform a yearly maintenance check of your furnace and venting system, and clean or replace your furnace filter frequently during the heating seasons.
- Clutter buster: Do not store combustible materials such as gasoline, propane, paper, chemicals, paint, rags and cleaning products near your gas furnace. Gasoline or propane cylinders must be stored outside the home.
- Users beware: Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids in the vicinity of your gas furnace or water heater.
- Check for the Blue Flame: Look for the familiar CSA International Blue Flame mark on your gas-fired furnace or water heater to ensure it has been tested and certified to the applicable standard.