Current Suspected Overdose Deaths in Delaware for 2024: Get Help Now!

Find school water testing results and additional resources

Attention Medicaid Participants: Eligibility Renewals Restarted April 1, 2023

Delaware.gov logo

DHSS Press Release



Rita Landgraf, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Cell 302-357-7498
Email: jill.fredel@delaware.gov

Date: December 12, 2014
DHSS-12-2014





DELAWARE PUBLIC HEALTH TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON


Dover, DE (December 11, 2014) - Chocolate truffles, cheesecake, cookies, dips, and chips tempt the most well-intentioned palates. To avoid holiday weight gain, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) advises adopting a healthy eating strategy and giving gifts that help your loved ones stay healthy.

Studies show that holiday weight gain is often permanent. To curb your appetite, don't go to a party hungry; eat something healthy before departing. Snacking on fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds -- and fewer chips and desserts - helps prevent unwanted pounds while providing nutrients and fiber. Carrots, peppers, celery, snow pea pods, broccoli, and cauliflower are healthy substitutions for chips. Try salsa or low-fat dips. Fresh berries, apple slices, citrus wedges, figs, and dates satisfy a sweet tooth. Unsweetened nuts, sunflower seeds, and toasted pumpkin seeds provide crunch and valuable nutrients.

The 5-2-1 Almost None campaign recommends that everyone eat five or more fruits and vegetables each day and limit recreational screen time to two hours each day (this includes TV, computer, and gaming). 5-2-1 Almost None also calls for getting one or more hours of physical activity daily, and to avoid sugar-sweetened beverages, which lead to weight gain and put you at risk for diabetes and other chronic conditions. Drinking plenty of water helps stomachs feel full and hydrates skin during the season when skin is drier due to cold weather outside and heated homes inside.

Increasing physical activity reduces the risk for chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, while improving mental health and wellness. To prevent obesity in children, it is important for children to lead physically active lifestyles and not consume too many calories. Obese children are at increased risk for developing high cholesterol, high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and many other conditions and diseases.

"It's important to remember that physical activity can be done inside during chilly winter weather without a gym membership or fancy exercise equipment," said Dr. Karyl Rattay, DPH director. "Mall walking, jumping rope or dancing around the living room all help get your heart pumping and keep you active. And, activities do not have to be done all at once; you can include them throughout your day."

For fun and easy physical activity ideas, visit www.getupanddosomething.org.

To encourage a healthy start in 2015, DPH shares these health-conscious gift ideas:
HEALTHY MOVEMENT


HEALTHY EATING GIFTS OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, drink almost no sugary beverages.



Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.





+