Written by Gayle Jennings, RD, CDE

March not only brings warmer temperatures, the chance to open up the windows and get some fresh air, it’s also National Nutrition Month®, a time to focus on eating healthy and being healthy.

If you’re like most Americans, you do a lot of eating on the run. People are looking for fast, easy and good-tasting foods that fit into a hectic lifestyle. No matter what you are rushing to, here is a top 10 list of tips to eat healthier when you are eating out:

1. Plan ahead. When you’re about to eat out, consider what meal options are available. Look for restaurants with a wider range of menu items, and check out websites for nutritional information.
2. Read restaurant menus carefully for clues to fat and calorie count. Menu terms that can be mean less fat and calories are baked, braised, broiled, grilled, poached, roasted and steamed.
3. On the other hand, items listed as batter-fried, pan-fried, buttered, creamed, crispy and breaded mean they contain more fat and calories.
4. Ask for it. It’s is fine to make special requests at most places, just keep them simple. For example, ask for a baked potato or side salad in place of fries; no mayonnaise or bacon on your sandwich; or sauces served on the side.
5. Out of sight, out of mind. Hunger can drive you to eat too much bread or too many chips before a meal arrives. Ask your server to hold the extras until the meal arrives.
6. Boost nutrition by adding lettuce, tomato, avocado, peppers or other vegetables.
7. Switch it out. A baked potato offers more fiber, fewer calories and less fat than fries, if you skip the sour cream and butter. Top your potato with broccoli and a sprinkle of cheese or salsa.
8. Eat lower-calorie foods first. Soup or salad is a good choice. Follow up with a light main course.
9. Two trips. If you do go to a buffet, fill up on salads and vegetables first. Take no more than two trips and use the smaller plates that hold less food.
10. Be prepared. Tuck portable, nonperishable foods in your purse, tote, briefcase or backpack for an on-the-run meal. Consider including peanut butter and crackers, granola bars, a piece of fresh fruit, trail mix, single servings of whole grain cereal or crackers.

Remember, small changes can lead to a big difference. Try something new today! For more information about National Nutrition Month, go to www.eatright.org/nnm.

Gayle Jennings, MS, RD, LDN, CDE, is a certified diabetes educator and registered dietician with the SIU Center for Family Medicine in Springfield.

It’s an unfortunate fact that black Americans often have more health-care problems than other ethnic groups. According to the CDC, the life expectancy for the black population is 3.8 years lower than the life expectancy for the white population, which is due to higher death rates from heart disease, cancer, homicide, diabetes and perinatal conditions.

In addition, some cancers are more prevalent in the African-American population and are generally discovered at more advanced stages. “Certain cancers either tend to affect minorities more often or tend to lead to death whereas in other populations, they do not,” says SIU physician Dr. Wesley Robinson-McNeese. Dr. McNeese is the associate dean for diversity and inclusion

and a professor of internal medicine and medical humanities.

“Minorities tend to suffer health disparities in this country,” Dr. McNeese says. “Those are essentially differences in the way diseases present themselves within these populations: the frequency, the intensity of the disease and whether it causes death or not.”

Dr. McNeese encourages black Americans to be proactive in their health care. He says they should educate themselves about their health care needs, seek out a personal physician and take advantage of the various health screenings offered in their communities.

-rb

Have you heard about telehealth?  Does the idea of seeing a doctor through a monitor make you feel a little uncomfortable?

No need for telehealth to be alarming, says telehealth expert Nina Antoniotti, PhD, MBA, RN.

“The truly innovative advancement in virtual care for patients covers many additional health conditions,” explains Dr. Antoniotti. “Telehealth, also referred to as telemedicine, is a valuable alternative for receiving health care services in rural locations:  Patients experience increased access to health care specialties while reducing the costs associated with traveling for services.”

Dr. Antoniotti shares the 6 most common misconceptions patients have about telehealth.

1. My privacy is at risk! Patients and providers alike are concerned about the security of confidential patient information, and we understand that having a secure connection is critical to ensure patient privacy. Virtual clinics, including SIU Telehealth, maintain the same data security, privacy and quality standards just as they would for in-person care.  If you are ever concerned about your privacy risk, simply ask your telemedicine provider how their platform ensures 100% data security.
2. I can’t get a proper visit. When using evidence-based guidelines paired with innovative clinical treatment support software, we can treat a number of conditions safely and consistently using virtual care.  A competent physician can accurately make many diagnoses simply by knowing your medical history and symptoms. Telemedicine can also be valuable for simple follow-ups or a post-operation wound check that only requires a visual examination and verbal exchange. At SIU, every doctor providing telehealth follows the same quality standards as they would in their traditional clinics. These services are not meant to replace the traditional interactions between patients and physicians but rather complement it.
3. It’s expensive! Your cost is often comparable to the cost of a co-pay for a traditional office visit and can be subsequently submitted for flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HAS) reimbursement.
4. My doctor won’t know me. Telemedicine can actually enhance an existing provider-patient relationship or even create a new one. Like in the traditional setting, you’re typically paired with physicians you’ve previously encountered.
5. Telehealth appointments are inconvenient. Truth is, it’s quite the opposite. Not only can telehealth provide patients the benefit of staying close to their community, it also saves time and money. By opting for a telehealth appointment, you’ll spend less time away from work and less on traveling expenses. Plus, no more long waits in waiting rooms!
6. My physician doesn’t like telehealth. Not only do patients like the benefits and flexibility telehealth offers, but it also provides physicians who may have otherwise left his or her field to continue practicing medicine. Plus, telehealth give physicians the opportunity to stay close to his or her hometown while treating patients from all over the world.

Interested in scheduling a Telehealth visit in your area? Visit siumed.edu/telehealth to find a location near you.