Carbs will be carbs at any time of day, but according to new research, how our bodies respond to sugar and other substances varies greatly. Findings show that the time of a meal may be just as important to weight loss as the calories consumed.

Investigators worked with 420 adults who were enrolled in a 20-week weight loss treatment program. Individuals were placed into one of two groups by their own choosing — early eaters, who ate lunch as a main meal anytime before 3 p.m., and late eaters, who consumed lunch after 3 p.m.

After four months, the researchers found that early-eaters lost significantly more weight than late-eaters, and recorded a much quicker rate of weight-loss. Published in the International Journal of Obesity, the first-of-its kind study also showed that late-eaters had a lower estimated insulin sensitivity, which is a risk factor associated with diabetes.

The timing of smaller meals did not affect weight loss. However, the late eaters did consume fewer calories during breakfast and were more likely to skip breakfast altogether, perhaps leaving them more hungry and more likely to consume added calories during the rest of the day.

In examining the participants’ weight loss, the researchers also looked at other possible mitigating factors, like total calorie intake, exercise and sleep patterns. Even when taking these into account, the findings were unchanged, suggesting that the timing of the main meal was indeed a key and independent factor in weight loss success.

Based on the findings, the researchers suggested that health care providers continue to promote healthy eating patterns via diet and exercise. But they also suggest putting a little thought into when dinner happens and not just what is on the plate.

With the advent of television and the easy access to popular culture through multimedia, people — women more often than men — have become accustomed to looking at themselves through the lens of society. That is, they’ve learned to view their bodies as objects of beauty rather than beings of strength and vitality. To test this theory, researchers at the University of London asked 50 female students between the ages of 18 and 27 to listen to their heartbeats. Those who could count the beats with more accuracy were more likely to appreciate their body for its health and function rather than its appearance.

So if you need a boost of self-esteem, shift your focus away from the way your body looks to the amazing way it functions. It’s a living, breathing being — and it’s the only one you’ve got — so show it some love.

Take time to marvel at your lungs that breathe life into you every second of the day, even when you’re asleep. Wonder at the way your skin protects the vital organs, tissues and veins lying just under its surface. Don’t think of your thighs as too thick — just look at how far they carry you. Don’t stress about the things you can’t change, like your height. Obsessing over what you perceive as flaws can only fuel the self-loathing fire. Change the way you see yourself and worry less about what the rest of the world sees. Do your best, forget the rest and be sure to love your body.

Proposed changes to nutrition labels could require food packagers to reveal the calorie count and other information for entire containers of foods, not just ideal serving sizes.

The reason for the proposed changes is simple: In the universe of food and nutrition, serving size matters.

The FDA is responding to recent research that shows consumers often miscalculate the calories and other nutrition content of items that technically contain more than one serving but are generally gobbled down in one sitting.

The agency is eyeing two possible solutions: a second column of nutritional facts that lists total package info alongside the numbers for one serving size, or a new set of numbers that simply gives info for the entire package.

An online study that presented more than 9,000 participants with fictitious nutrition labels found that people can better calculate their calories if given information for entire packages.

Researchers are also looking at other minor changes to the labels, such as getting rid of the number that details how many calories come from fat, or perhaps enlarging the font size for the total number of calories.

The nutrition facts label was introduced just 20 years ago, but today grocery shoppers nationwide depend on its accuracy. And even as growing numbers of people use the labels to make smart purchases, Americans’ waistlines continue to grow.

The new labels could help remind consumers that good things come in small packages, big packages can contain too much of a good thing.

A study of more than 5,000 worker bees ages 25 to 65 collected health information for six years. Those with the lowest wages were more likely to suffer hypertension than workers with the highest earnings. The link was especially notable among women and people between the ages of 25 to 44, which didn’t surprise researchers since these groups typically make less money than others. Hypertension-inducing wages were found to be 17 dollars an hour or less, which equates to about forty-seven thousand dollars a year with inflation.

The simple, yet sad explanation is that some people gauge their social worth by how much they earn. Low wages also make everyday living a hassle. But you don’t have to let your paycheck define your outlook on life.

Remember which parts of your job fulfill you and give you purpose. Distance yourself from negative nellies and surround yourself with positive people. Let yourself lean on your peers for moral support when times get tough. Seek out the good stuff that happens in the office, whether it’s a compliment from a coworker or free pizza Friday.

Reorganize your desk into a space you’re happy to spend time in. Post pictures of past vacations, pets or family members. Listen to relaxing music. Take a walk outside to enjoy some fresh air when the office gets too stuffy. And never underestimate the power of a mental health day. Work doesn’t have to be a burden on your wallet and your health.

Science has extensively studied what causes a partnership to fail, but this study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign sought what makes it last. The study investigated the habits of more than 12,000 participants across 35 studies and found five factors that reliably made up a good relationship: openness, positivity, assurance, shared tasks and a shared social network.

Openness was defined as mutual comfort in talking about feelings. Positivity is behaving cheerfully toward your partner in daily interactions. Assurance is demonstrating commitment to your significant other and the relationship. Shared tasks means sharing chores and tasks equally. A shared social network is embracing your partner’s family and friends, and vice versa.

Another essential ingredient for a strong relationship is a sense of self-identity. You should be able to “be you” separate from your partner’s feelings toward you. Your relationship should be a secure base from which both partners are able to explore individual goals, hobbies and interests. Because no relationship is perfect, effective and constructive management of conflict is also a critical component.

And above all, so is trust. Beyond trusting your honey not to stray, trust builds intimacy. Every relationship is different, but these bricks all make up a bond built to last. Oh, and flowers “just because” every once in a while don’t hurt, either.

The study found that even if both labels read the same calorie count, green-colored labels were consistently identified as healthier options among a group of about 150 participants. Green labels also increase perceived health benefits among consumers who concern themselves with healthy eating.

The study suggests that the color of labels can affect whether people perceive food as healthy more than the actual nutritional information listed on the label does. The best way to avoid falling victim to this effective marketing technique is simple though: Just read the labels.

For example, try to avoid foods that have coloring in them. Caramel coloring is not delicious or nutritious. It’s also crucial to look at serving size and realistically adjust the nutritional value to what your personal serving size will be. For some of us, one tablespoon of peanut butter just isn’t enough for a sandwich … but if more than suggested is served expect higher calorie numbers too.

Another important aspect on nutritional labels is the sodium count. It is recommended that one person consume no more than 2,400 milligrams of sodium each day. Foods with high trans fat levels are also a concern. Instead of trans fat, look for foods with natural fats. Skim the nutritional label and look for a small and concise ingredients list that includes no more than two words you cannot pronounce.

Reading nutritional labels and buying food doesn’t have to be science but it shouldn’t be a game of gimmick either. So don’t be fooled by that green wrapper, those Thin Mints are not healthy for you.

Just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the large study involved tracking the health of more than 85,000 newborns over a six-year period. Initially, the moms were also queried about their diets and their use of vitamins and supplements during pregnancy.

After six years, the researchers found that 270 of the children were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Fifty-six of the children had Asperger syndrome; 114 were diagnosed with autism; and another 100 had an unspecified autism disorder.

The investigators then looked at the mothers’ medical histories, especially their vitamin consumption. Careful analysis revealed that among those mothers who took a folic acid supplement, point-ten percent of their children were diagnosed with autism compared to point-twenty one percent of children whose mothers didn’t take folic acid. This translates to a whopping 39 percent lowered risk for autism disorders among children whose moms took folic acid.

The effects of folic acid, which is found in green leafy vegetables and liver, could not be determined for Asperger syndrome or unspecified autism disorders because too few people were diagnosed with these conditions … but the benefits for reducing the incidence of autism was clear.

Furthermore, analysis showed that folic acid seemed to work even if not taken until early pregnancy. Pregnant or hoping to get pregnant? Reserachers say start taking folic acid as early as you can and consult your health practitioner for a proper dosage.

But a healthy diet can also aid with kicking one of the unhealthiest habits of all: smoking.

Nearly one-fifth of Americans still smoke cigarettes. And even though smoking rates continue to decline in the United States, the discovery of a correlation between more vegetables and less smoking might help just a few more smokers kick the habit.

New research shows that a diet rich in fruits and veggies can help people stop smoking — and also remain smoke-free for longer.

According to the study, fruits and veggies seem to be a common denominator in smoking cessation: Consuming more of them helps smokers cut back regardless of their age, gender, race, education level or household income.

And in this instance, more is better. For those in the study who still smoked, the more fruits and veggies they consumed, the fewer cigarettes they smoked. They also tended to wait longer to smoke the first cigarette of the day if they ate more fruits and vegetables.

Why the correlation between smoking and a good diet? No clear answer exists. Perhaps the healthy diet makes smokers less nicotine-dependent, or maybe the high fiber content of the fruits and veggies makes them feel more full.

And garden-grown foods aren’t exactly the type of fare that make people want to reach for a cigarette. A hearty steak, a morning cup of joe or a late-night beer might prompt a puff. Sauteed wilted spinach probably won’t.

So go ahead, have another drag on a carrot. It can’t hurt.

Past studies have shown the correlation between mindless eating and a distinct lack of interest in exercise, with endless hours of sitting on the couch. And now research shows that being a couch potato may cause other physical problems as well.

Appearing in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the recent study analyzed the diet and exercise habits of almost 200 men ages 18 to 22. Participants were also asked to provide sperm samples.

The investigators found that men who watched television for 20 hours per week had about a 45 percent lower sperm count than those who watched very little or no TV.

Exercise also seemed to be a mitigating factor. Men who worked out for 15 or more hours each week had a 73 percent higher sperm count than those who averaged five or less hours a week hitting the treadmill.

Despite these findings, the researchers acknowledged that the lowered sperm counts did not mean that couch potato men would not be able to father children. Rather, they said the study showed that reasonable exercise could alter a man’s physiology enough to help improve testicular health.

And researchers say reasonable is the key word. Previous studies have shown that too much vigor in a workout can also be dangerous and affect semen concentrations in a negative way as well.

Given that too much exercise or too little exercise might be detrimental, the best advice is to use moderation in any workout regimen … or in any plans to be a couch potato.

Interestingly, the Yale study of more than 4,000 men and women between the ages of 20 and 84 did not find a similar link between exposure to these chemicals and osteoporosis in men.

It’s not the first research to unearth the adverse effects of such chemicals. Previous studies found that contact with P-F-Cs could contribute to a higher risk for premature menopause in women, higher levels of bad cholesterol in men and women, and decreased effectiveness of vaccinations in children. It’s not clear why these substances affect women more, but it probably has something to do with their profound influence on hormones.

And it’s hard to avoid the chemicals because they lurk virtually everywhere in our environment — including in food packaging, cookware, bedding, upholstery and clothes, like waterproof rain gear and stain shields. P-F-Cs accumulate in our bodies and remain there for years.

But you can take steps to be a smart shopper and steer clear of products with oily packaging, like pizza boxes and microwaveable popcorn bags. Pass up personal care products with fluoro or perfluoro in the label. Don’t use cookware with Teflon coating, or take care not to let it heat above four hundred and fifty degrees Fahrenheit. Become a meticulous label-reader and you could cut down on your exposure to these dangerous chemicals. Oh, and have hubby do the dishes.

Research shows people who consume sweetened beverages such as fruit drinks, sweetened iced tea and soda — especially diet soda — are more likely to suffer from depression.

A recent study tracked the favorite sugary and artificially sweetened drinks of more than 250,000 people over 10 years. The findings were more bitter than sweet: People who drank more than four cans of soda daily were 30 percent more likely to be diagnosed with depression than people who didn’t drink soda.

Other sugary drinks left a bad taste, too. The likelihood for fruit juice drinkers to be diagnosed with depression was 38 percent higher than in people who did not drink sweetened beverages.

The most downer drink of them all was diet soda, which outpaced juice, regular soda and iced tea for its connection to depression.

Not all beverages were bad news. Four cups of coffee per day actually lowered the risk of depression by about 10 percent.

The study offered no reasons for what might be behind the uplifting effects of coffee, but one explanation might be found in its abundant antioxidants and phytochemicals.

Even before this study, diet soda was already causing indigestion in some health research circles. Although more research is needed, one recent study linked it to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. And the nutrition habits of diet soda drinkers are already known to be worse than the general population.

So what should you gulp down to be happy, not to mention healthy? Water. Even slight amounts of dehydration has been shown to make people more negative and fatigued and less focused.

Feeling down? A simple glass of water may just brighten your mood.

Celiac disease is a condition in which foods that contain the protein called gluten damage the lining of the small intestine. Gluten is found in wheat and related grains, like barley, rye and triticale. It sounds counterintuitive, but the study, published in the journal Pediatrics found that this small window of opportunity might help a baby develop a tolerance to the protein.

The researchers compared two groups of children: one born during a time when celiac diagnoses increased fourfold, and another when it decreased by about the same amount. Those born after 1996, when doctors recommended gluten be introduced at four months, had a 25 percent lower risk of celiac disease than those born in 1982. At that time, the benchmark was 6 months old.

It’s a good idea to introduce gluten while breastfeeding because it’s been proven to stimulate healthy bacteria growth in the gut. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics says infants who start eating gluten when they’re breastfeeding have a 52 percent decreased risk of getting celiac disease.

Celiac disease occurs in about 1 percent of the population and is usually passed on genetically. If your baby does develop celiac disease despite your best efforts, a few signs include gas and bloating, changes in bowel movements, weight loss, lethargy and weakness on most days. If left untreated, your child could get very sick. But life without gluten is not a life sentenced to tasteless food — gluten-free products abound.

Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that defend and heal cells from damage caused by free radicals. They can bolster the body’s defense against everything from the common cold to cancer.

The Harvard study investigated the antioxidant-eating habits of more than 5,000 people in the Netherlands who were at least 50, and tracked whether they had suffered a stroke in the past 14 years. The study found no connection between the level of antioxidants consumed … but a similar study conducted in Italy suggested otherwise. The key could be what types of antioxidants you ingest. The question is, does the level of total antioxidants indicate stroke and dementia risk, regardless of what types of foods you eat?

Coffee or tea consumption contributed to almost 90 percent of the inconsistency in antioxidant levels among the Dutch subjects, whereas Italians got most of theirs from eating fruits and vegetables. Other studies have suggested that indeed eating plenty of greens, roots and fruits helps prevent an array of diseases and conditions. The typical Dutch diet includes mostly meat, dairy, coffee and tea, but amping up veggie intake could be beneficial.

The three main antioxidants are beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin C. You’ll find them in carrots, asparagus, kale, broccoli, mango, papaya … and the list goes on. Just fill your plate with the rainbow and you can’t go wrong.

Scientists observed that despite a lifetime of bites and scrapes, an alligator’s wounds never become infected, even in their naturally swampy, bacteria-filled habitat. The evolutionary advantage of a super-sized immune system is obvious, but the researchers wanted to know how and why the alligators’ defenses worked so well. They drew blood from alligators and mixed the serum with twenty-three different species of bacteria. The outcome was lopsided: ‘Gators twenty-three, bacteria zero. Some unknown protein molecule in the reptiles’ blood kept the bacteria at bay.

They also found that the alligator immune system worked in a unique way. Whereas humans acquire disease-fighting antibodies by exposure to bacteria, viruses and fungi, alligators are born with an innate immunity to ward off harmful microbes. Alligators appear to have a stronger immune system too. Of the twenty-three bacterial species in the study defeated by the alligator blood, the human immune system can fend off only eight.

Scientists hope to isolate and identify the protein in the alligator immune system and use them to fight stubborn infections in humans, such as antibiotic-resistant bacteria and diabetic foot ulcers.

The study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology-In Practice, found passengers who engaged in eight mitigating factors were less likely to report an allergic reaction.

These eight behaviors include: requesting accommodations; requesting a peanut/tree nut-free meal; wiping the tray table with a commercial wipe; avoiding use of airline pillows; avoiding use of airline blankets; requesting a peanut/tree nut-free buffer zone; requesting other passengers not consume peanut/tree nut-containing products; or just avoiding airline-provided food altogether.

More than thirty-two hundred people from 11 countries completed an online survey about their flying experiences for the study. Researchers found that only 349 people experienced allergic reactions while flying and using these precautions.

Of course, part of avoiding an allergic reaction is always being prepared for one. So follow steps to minimize risk. Always have a plan and make sure the people you are with most are aware of your allergies and what to do if you have a reaction. If you choose to treat allergic reactions with medications or injections, make sure to always have those on hand.

Traveling doesn’t have to be stressful for people with food allergies. With proper planning and preparation, you can easily manage your allergies and navigating the airport.

But there’s practically no tougher tissue in the body. Think of the forces involved in hopping, alone. The Achilles tendon handles hundreds of pounds as it bridges the bones of the heel and the calf muscle.

Imagine the strain it receives during explosive athletic activities. Much of the time it is as reliable as a steel cable, even during gymnastics, sprints, and dashes to the end zone. But even the toughest material can be pushed to the limit.

The Achilles tendon is no exception, especially at the start of explosive movements, when it is most vulnerable. If it tears, healing can be a difficult process. Injuries sometimes require surgery and can take a year to get better.

The problem is each time the calf muscle contracts or relaxes, the tendon is stretched, compounding the damage. It doesn’t help that the area does not receive nearly as much oxygen-rich blood to promote healing as its neighbor calf muscle.

Now, on top of all that, researchers in Denmark think they have discovered a new reason why it takes so long for Achilles injuries to heal.

They studied the Achilles tendons of people who lived in the early 1960s, when nuclear weapons testing created a spike of a radioactive atom called carbon-14 in the atmosphere … which registered in the tissues of living things.

Decades later, the carbon-14 signatures found in study subjects’ tendons had not changed, almost as if the building blocks of the tendons hibernate in comparison with other body tissues.

The scientists think if there were a way to wake up the tendon’s sleeping regenerative cells, it could speed the recovery process … and healing the Achilles’ heel might not be so tough after all.

The study, published in the journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, defined binge drinking as five or more drinks at a time, but the C-D-C also recommends no more than one drink a day for women. Twenty-two percent of high school girls reported binging, and the rate increased with household income.

The worst that may happen some nights could be a lost wallet or a night in jail. But the study showed that binge drinking accounted for half of deaths and years of potential life lost in the years 2001 to 2005. Excess alcohol also contributes to cancer and sexually transmitted diseases. For women who hope to have children someday, too many nights of getting sloshed could impact menstrual cycles, fertility and your future fetus’ health — even if you stop drinking during pregnancy. It could even cause brain shrinkage and memory loss. What’s more, women are more susceptible than men to this unfortunate side effect. They are also more sensitive to alcohol overall.

But you don’t have to turn into a teetotaler just yet — moderation is key to enjoying alcohol in a healthy way. Know your limit and practice pacing yourself. Make sure you drink a glass of water between every beverage. Start slow and sip only a little at a time. Choose light beers, white wines or vodka, which have the least amount of alcohol compared with other brews and spirits. Cheers to that!

The study of more than 200,000 people revealed that those who guzzled more than four servings of diet soda a day suffered a 30 percent higher risk of depression than those who abstained from the stuff. People who sipped regular soda saw just a 22 percent increased risk.

Curiously, drinking coffee was linked with a 10 percent lessened risk of depression. Scientists say more research is needed, but the study adds to a growing body of science that says artificially sweetened beverages contribute to a slew of health problems in addition to depression.

Depression can be caused by a multitude of demons, from a chemical imbalance in the brain to plain old genetics. Women are in fact twice as likely as men to suffer from depression, perhaps due to hormonal changes and imbalances. Older people, such as those in the study, are also at a higher risk. Stress, trauma, certain medications and health conditions can also trigger despair.

Some symptoms of depression include trouble sleeping, chest pains, chronic fatigue, achy joints, changes in appetite and irritability. If any of the above sound like you — and you’re craving sweets — don’t be ashamed to see a doctor. It’s important to know that depression is not your fault. With proper care, it can be treated.

It may sound like a parlor trick, but health researchers in Brazil followed men and women aged 51 to 80 to see whether a simple sit-and-rise test could serve as a predictor of their long-term health.

While cardiovascular fitness is useful for predicting long-term health, additional ways to determine the health trajectory of older adults could be useful, especially because of the growing numbers of people around the world who are moving through middle age and into their senior years.

A possible prognostic is a sit-and-rise test, in which participants are simply asked to sit down on the floor, then to stand up using as little support as possible.

The activity is an indicator of strength, balance and flexibility … physical commodities that fall in short supply as we age.

Researchers gave the test to more than 2,000 people. If volunteers accomplished the task without using any support, they received 10 points … five for sitting and five for standing.

But a point was taken away for each support they used to sit and stand … for example, a hand, two hands, a knee, and so on.

When researchers circled back after six years to see how the patients fared, they discovered each additional support the volunteers used during the test was associated with a lower chance of survival.

It could be that people who have a low score are more likely to be at risk for falls, which is a significant cause of disability and death in older people.

The researchers say they did not take into account accidents or illnesses that might have beset the patients, and that the sit-and-rise test is far from the final word for gauging longevity.

But it may provide a quick glimpse at an important health metric. And that is a useful trick indeed.

Well-rested and less-stressed people, on the other hand, were found to be less sensitive to sound after being exposed to a stressful situation. Scientists describe this reaction as “shutting their ears,” a typical defense to stress. Women in particular felt the difference. What’s also interesting is that the subjects noted no difference in sounds before being exposed to stress.

Stress can affect your body and senses in some other unexpected ways. It can cause canker and cold sores, teeth grinding and gum disease. It can contribute to poor eating habits and overall hygiene. It can make stomach problems, acne, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma worse. Anxiety dampens libido and decreases fertility.

But stress doesn’t have to spell misery — certain techniques and strategies can help you manage the way you react to life’s little surprises. Remember that not everything is in your control and try to keep a positive attitude. Learn to say “no” and create limits and boundaries. Value your time and others will follow suit. Learn to be assertive rather than aggressive when others broach your boundaries, and express your feelings rather than withdrawing or lashing out. And of course, exercise does wonders to combat stress and help life sound a little less loud.

And on the battlefield of parenting, fewer lines are drawn as fiercely as the one between those who believe in responding instantly to an infant’s cries and those who advocate allowing a baby to cry without parental intervention.

A new study from Temple University won’t do much to soften those battle lines, but it will provide more arsenal for the cry-it-out camp.

Most babies, researchers found, can sleep through the night by age 6 months. Those who can’t were more likely to be boys and breastfed, and their playtime hours were affected, too: The babies tended to be more irritable and easily distracted than infants who slept through the night.

The mothers of these babies, meanwhile, were more likely to be depressed.

The findings left the psychologists behind the study with some big questions: Are depressed mothers more likely to have babies who have trouble sleeping, or does a persistently waking baby tend to lead to depression in moms?

Either way, researchers have a few suggestions for parents. First, put the baby to bed at a regular time every night. Second, allow them to fall asleep on their own, as opposed to nursing or cuddling them to sleep.

Finally — and this is the tough part, and the most controversial — don’t respond to every cry. Babies, like grownups, go through cycles in their sleep, and not every awakening requires parental intervention.

In other words, this research suggests, let a baby learn to comfort himself, for crying out loud.

And that just might help an infant move from crying like a baby … to sleeping like one.

People with sickle cell anemia have red blood cells shaped like crescents, or sickles, that tend to break apart, die early and clump together. All this makes for poor blood flow, low red blood cell count and possible organ damage.

Sickle cell trait occurs when a person gets the sickle cell gene from one parent, but not from both. Inheriting two genes causes sickle cell anemia, which is much more common.

People with sickle cell trait normally don’t suffer from symptoms, so they may not even know they have it. But certain situations can bring out its dangerous side. Extreme physical exertion may cause dehydration and low oxygen levels for a person with sickle cell trait. In these cases, blood cells take on the sickle shape, stopping blood flow and causing oxygen depletion throughout the body.

That’s pretty serious. In fact, according to the National Athletic Trainers Association, sickle cell trait is the third most common cause of non-traumatic sports deaths. Only heart conditions and heatstroke top it.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association is concerned enough about sickle cell trait to require screening for anyone who plays Division 1 or 2 sports. Division 3 representatives recently voted to adopt the requirement, too. Athletes with the trait can still compete … and many do so safely … but their coaches and trainers should watch them closely for signs of trouble.

If sickle cell diseases run in your family, talk to your doctor about whether you should be tested for sickle cell trait. It’s better to know and be prepared than to be caught by surprise in a crisis.

Wondering what’s so great about this mysterious food … and well, what is is exactly? When cooked, quinoa looks like small chunks of rice with a light and fluffy texture. Quinoa is a member of the same plant family as spinach, but because of how it’s commonly consumed, it’s categorized with wheat, barley and rye. Quinoa has plenty of fiber, minerals and vitamins. It is high in fat content, providing heart-healthy fats like monounsaturated fat. It’s also protein-packed, which makes it a popular meat-alternative with vegans and vegetarians.

Quinoa can be eaten both hot and cold. It is a substitute for rice, barley or couscous in salads and side dishes. Quinoa cooks in about 15 minutes. Bring water to a boil, add the quinoa and simmer until it’s light and fluffy. A good rule of measurement is two cups of water for every cup of quinoa.

If you’re interested in making quinoa part of your regular diet, there are a few simple recipes you can follow, or you can use it as a side dish to any meal.

For breakfast, top a bowl of cooked quinoa with fruit. For lunch, add vegetables and a salad dressing. For dinner, mix it up with lean meat or fish and roasted vegetables.

Pick up a bag of quinoa the next time you’re at a grocery store or spot it on a restaurant menu. You may be surprised by how much you enjoy this superpowered food.

Don’t worry, there’s no need for any brows to wrinkle in revulsion. We are referring to a temporary malady that many of us have experienced … pruney fingers.

When digits are repeatedly dipped and dunked, it is not uncommon to see fissures form in the fingertips.

It is not harmful, but it is odd-looking. And it turns out that there may be an evolutionary reason for it.

Ever see how a tire stays in contact with wet pavement, channeling water through grooves in the rubber?

Scientists think the same thing could be happening with our fingers and toes … the wrinkling effect actually provides tread for gripping.

Evolutionary biologists at Newcastle University in England tested how quickly people with wrinkled and unwrinkled fingers could move wet and dry marbles.

If the marbles were dry, it didn’t matter, people were equally fast.

But if they were moving wet marbles, people with wrinkled fingers were about 12 percent quicker.

Scientists speculate this phenomenon may have evolved in our toes, to help us rise on two feet from all fours. It no doubt came in handy for foraging for food in streams and rivers.

The next step for researchers is to look at other species with wrinkling ability and find out how it’s worked out for them.

As for the question about why our fingers and toes aren’t permanently pruned, scientists aren’t sure.

But the answer might be as close as the nearest hot tub. Soggy, furrowed feet aren’t usually A-list qualities on the dating circuit.

But the fact is, pruney appendages really aren’t gross at all. Evolutionarily speaking, they’re pretty groovy.

But as with any tool, the Internet can also have a dangerous side, unlocking an unmonitored planet where strangers may appear to be friendly when they are in fact less than sincere.

In a new study funded by the National Institutes of Health and published in the journal Pediatrics, almost one-third of teenage girls reported meeting face to face with someone they had become acquainted with only online.

Investigators worked with 250 young women ages 14 to 17 and monitored their online and offline activity for one year. About half the girls had recorded histories of either neglect or abuse, while the other half had no such background.

Parents were also involved and were asked to summarize their children’s everyday routines, as well as make mention of any Internet monitoring systems they used.

Sixteen months later, researchers asked the teens to report on any meetings with individuals they had met during the preceding year via the Internet. They found that almost one-third of the girls had in-person get-togethers after initial Internet contact.

Researchers also discovered that those girls with a history of neglect or sexual abuse were likely to post images and verbiage online that could be viewed as sexually overt and provocative … setting the stage for a potentially dangerous rendezvous.

From the parents’ end, software-monitoring systems did not seem to reduce stranger contact … however, more involved, hands-on parenting did.

Researchers noted that although most teen Internet interactions are completely benign, if even 1 percent risk the health and welfare of a child, that is 1 percent too many.

A study from the Harvard School of Public Health looked at the eating habits of more than 1 million people, one thousand of whom had A-L-S. Beta-carotene and lutein in particular were found to be effective in squashing A-L-S risk. Foods like sweet potatoes, carrots and squash are rich in beta-carotene, while lutein is found in spinach and kale.

Those who ate the most veggies with these compounds were also more apt to exercise more, have a higher education level and consume more vitamin C. The carotenoid effect was even stronger among those who never lit up, since smoking can affect carotenoid levels.

Scientists don’t know the cause of A-L-S, but it is very rare and occurs in less than two in 100,000 people. The first sign is numbness in one leg or arm and progresses to muscle twitching, difficulty using hands and performing everyday tasks as well as problems with speaking, eating, swallowing and breathing. The good news is physical, occupational and speech therapy can help make the most of your abilities. Adaptive equipment like handrails and canes can help you stay mobile. Certain medicines can help relieve some symptoms.

Although scientists don’t know the causes of A-L-S, a daily dose of carotenoid-rich veggies cannot hurt. It may just help you avoid A-L-S altogether … and stay healthy and strong.

The researchers looked at more than 400 people following a weight loss program for 20 weeks. Both groups ate similar foods and amount of calories, burned comparable numbers of calories and slept almost the same hours every night. But those who ate lunch later also skipped breakfast more frequently than early eaters and were less successful in losing weight.

The study could lend credence to the dietary advice to “Eat like a king for breakfast, like a prince for lunch and like a pauper for dinner.” Eating later delays and disrupts the fast between dinner and breakfast. And since you’re typically less active in the evening, any calories consumed aren’t expended. In fact, one study from Northwestern University published in the journal Obesity found that eating at night contributed to twice as much weight gain — even when total calories consumed throughout the day were the same.

Others say it’s the total number of calories, not when you eat them that matters. So a small snack at night shouldn’t be a big deal. But dietitians say it’s still best to eat 90 percent of your calories before 8 p.m.

Get into the habit of eating breakfast and you’ll set yourself up for success for the rest of the day. A healthful breakfast helps keep blood sugar levels steady and prevents overeating at lunch. Aim for a balanced lunch of lean protein like grilled chicken or cold cuts and whole grains. Set a reminder at your desk if you must and make eating lunch a priority.

You’ve heard it before and now the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing has gone as far as to prove that breakfast is definitely the most important meal of the day. The researchers discovered that children who eat breakfast on an almost daily basis have significantly higher verbal and performance IQ test scores than children who forego food in the morning.

The study looked at about twelve-hundred 6-year-olds in China, where breakfast is highly valued. Children who did not eat breakfast on a regular basis had IQs that were about 4.6 points lower than children who almost always ate breakfast.

So why is breakfast so important? The researchers found that the morning meal actually serves kids in two ways: nutritionally and socially.

After a whole night of fasting, breakfast supplies “fuel” to the brain and the social interaction at breakfast time with family members may promote brain development, too.

At the ripe young age of 6, a child’s cognitive ability is rapidly developing.

Breakfast is important but it’s equally important to fuel your kids with quality breakfast foods. So ditch that sugary cereal and go for oatmeal instead. Fruits are another easy, nutritious and delicious breakfast option.

Whole grains are low in sugar and higher in protein and fiber. Fruits are high in fiber and vitamins, too. Try incorporating both grains and fruits into one meal for a balanced breakfast.

Getting your kids to sit down for breakfast can be a challenge, but it’s an important task to master. Not only does breakfast make them feel better throughout the day but it can also make them smarter.

So feed your kids and yourself breakfast every day. It’s a no-brainer.

Have you ever wished your utensils would stop you from overeating? If you have, look into purchasing a new high-tech fork. The HAPIfork (happy-fork) monitors how fast you eat your food. The fork’s built-in sensors measure the number of times you put the fork in your mouth, how many seconds pass between each serving and how long it takes you to empty your plate. If you eat too fast, the fork vibrates and flashes lights at you. The fork will cost about $100 when it hits the market this spring. The company is working on a high-tech spoon, too.

You use your iPhone to buy Starbucks, browse Facebook and take photos, so why don’t you use it to force yourself to work out, too? The new app GymPact promises to force you into working out by charging your credit card if you don’t. So how does it work? You offer up your card, and it gets charged if you don’t check-in at the gym for at least 30 minutes. The money collected is proportionately given to those who fulfilled their gym promises. The app is free.

Are you tired of waking up to the blare of your alarm clock when you’re fast asleep? The SleepTracker watch promises to be a nicer alarm clock by monitoring your sleep stages through the night and using the data to wake you up at a stage where you’ll feel refreshed for the day instead of miserable. Although you set a time to be woken up, the alarm may go off a few minutes sooner if you’re in a lighter sleeping stage. The watch costs $149 and is available in both black and white.

These new technologies can improve your life, so give them a try. You may be surprised by how much better you feel.

Green burials are cheaper, more organic and better for the environment than standard burials — yet most people have never heard of them.

Green burials allow the body to decompose naturally, without the standard use of embalming fluid, which can seep into soil and groundwater. In a green burial, a simple shroud or biodegradable casket replaces the traditional coffin.

Many green burials start at about $2,000, while the average cost of a traditional funeral is around $8,000. Cremation is less expensive, but it too has an environmental impact. Cremation burns fossil fuels and emits 5,000 pounds of mercury from our dental fillings alone each year.

Many funeral homes now offer eco-friendly alternatives, and an increasing number of cemeteries across the country are exclusively green. The latter are often set in a preserve or a park. Many even opt to plant a tree instead of using a regular headstone. (Pause)

The team behind the Infinity Burial Project sees green burial as simply the beginning. Green burial doesn’t address the existing environmental toxins in our bodies, which we filter and store throughout our lifetimes, and which seep into the earth to continue the cycle. The project is working on a burial suit seeded with mushrooms that could decompose those toxins. If successful, the suits would turn dead tissue into clean compost.

Years from now, our traditional funerals may look very different than they do today. But for now, a green burial helps to ensure your last impact on the world is a positive one.

Gluten, a protein in wheat, barley and rye, really rubs some people the wrong way. People with celiac disease suffer damage to the small intestine every time they eat or drink something that contains it. The damage can lead to malnourishment, digestive problems, decreased appetite, excess or too little weight and other problems.

Other people have a sensitivity to gluten and report gastrointestinal maladies, fatigue and headaches when they ingest it. Experts say these people don’t seem to sustain intestinal damage from gluten.

The most effective remedy for these conditions is a diet free of gluten. That means avoiding mainstream pizza, pasta, bread, baked goods, some condiments, beer and lots of other products.

Scientists are trying to give these people a break by developing a pill that would enable them to consume gluten with less backlash. Ideally, it would work like existing pills that alleviate problems for people who are lactose-intolerant and have trouble with dairy. Such pills help a person digest lactose, a component of all dairy foods.

There are several scientific teams working on the gluten-busting pill, each with its own approach. One strategy, perhaps the most interesting, is built on an enzyme scientists found in bacteria living in hot springs in Japan. A modified version of the enzyme dismantles the protein. The scientists hope it will do the same inside a human gut, although that hasn’t been tested yet.

At least one expert in celiac disease says the pills would not totally solve the problem. People who took one probably could eat a bit of food with gluten without negative results, but not a large amount.

For someone with celiac disease who wants to enjoy one or two of their favorite chocolate chip cookies, that might be just enough relief.

It seems that it’s all about the bran. To make refined flour, the main ingredient of white bread, manufacturers start with the whole wheat berry, which consists of three parts — the bran, the germ and the endosperm — and remove the two most nutritious parts: the bran and the germ.

As a result, white bread is stripped of the elements that contain the largest amount of protein, fiber and minerals, making it less nutritious and less filling. But bran, otherwise known as the tough, fibrous outer layer of the wheat kernel, also contains ferulic (fuh-RULE-ick) acid. Ferulic acid blocks production of a molecule that gives white bread its familiar, fresh-baked smell.

In fact, the researchers found that after the crusts of white and wheat bread were baked, frozen, ground and distilled, the two gave off chemicals with very different smells. The white bread crust smelled of flowers, corn chips and caramel, while the wheat gave off malty, earthy smells. It seems the traditional baked smell is a significant factor for people making choices in the bread aisle.

But it’s not just the baked smell of white bread that so many people prefer. Refined flour translates into a softer texture and a milder, less bitter flavor. To combat this, some manufacturers add more salt and sugar to their whole grain products, which counterbalances the healthfulness of the bread. So the next time you’re picking out a whole wheat loaf, be sure you’re really getting the healthier alternative.

Past studies have shown that housing, climate and social and cultural factors in different latitudes can affect those populations’ exposure to allergens. But this is the first to explore the link between U-V rays and allergies and asthma.

Another recent study found that the 10 worst cities for allergies include places as geographically diverse as Louisville, Kentucky, San Antonio, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. Every year, about 40 million people are affected by allergies. They can be brought on by tree, grass and weed pollen, mold spores, dust mite and cockroach allergens, and of course, pet dander.

But spring doesn’t have to spell sniffle season. Nasal sprays, inhalants and oral over-the-counter antihistamines can ease allergies. And contrary to rumors, antihistamines are not addictive … but their potency can diminish over a few months. Try switching brands if your symptoms persist. Also, O-T-C decongestants aren’t the best for allergies since they’re meant to be taken on a short-term basis.

Allergy shots taken periodically can keep symptoms to a sane level. Keep an eye on pollen counts, avoid the outdoors on particularly high pollen days, and consider wearing a mask if you must embark outdoors. To keep life bearable indoors, consider installing a HEPA filter in your home, too. And if your allergies are really bad, you may want to reconsider that big move to the equator.

Energy drinks are flavored beverages containing high quantities of caffeine as well as other additives. They’re as common as a can of soda and now available in just as many locations. This causes a concern as most cans contain 100 to 500 milligrams of caffeine. By contrast, a 12-ounce serving of soda contains 50 milligrams.

In order to evaluate the medical consequences linked with consuming energy drinks, researchers chose to analyze data from DAWN, the Drug Abuse Warning Network, a public health surveillance system that tracks drug-related emergency department visits in the United States. Statistics from a four-year period revealed a nearly 100 percent increase in emergency room visits due to energy drink-related mishaps, from about 10,000 visits in 2007 to almost 21,000 visits in 2011. Men were more likely than women to visit the emergency room because of the drinks, but the number of energy drink-related visits doubled for both sexes.

Researchers also found that while there were more patients aged 18 to 39 than in other age groups, visits for those over 40 increased by almost 300 percent during the four-year analysis.

Given past reports by groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the inherent dangers of caffeine consumption, the researchers suggested further warnings may be beneficial regarding energy drinks and how they are marketed.

Most people want a little spring in their step, but the extra bounce may come at too steep a cost.

Low blood sugar can cause disorientation, delayed reaction and even unconsciousness. Coupled with impaired vision and numbness in the feet, the symptoms of low blood sugar can be a recipe for disaster. Even less severe symptoms like blurry vision, sweating or fatigue can be cause for concern. And according to a study from the Royal Infirmary of Scotland, although 87 percent of diabetics stashed a source of carbohydrates in their car, 60 percent didn’t check their blood sugar levels before driving.

If you have diabetes and are about to hit the road, doctors advise that you eat something sugary, wait 15 minutes and check your blood sugar again. In addition to keeping carbs in the car, following a healthy diet is key to controlling blood sugar levels. Avoiding spikes in blood sugar and maintaining steady levels throughout the day helps keep diabetes in control. Foods and beverages consisting of sugar, carbs and starches are typically the types to avoid — alcohol included. Fit in 25 to 30 grams of fiber daily and eat at regular times throughout the day.

And despite common belief, you don’t have to deny yourself dessert — sugar in moderation is OK. Just be sure to substitute your indulgence for another carb or starch in your meal. For example, skip bread at dinner. It’s the total number of carbs that counts at the end of the day.

Keeping blood sugar in control can keep you and others safe and healthy.

Noise can become dangerous when its duration, frequency or intensity is too extreme. Those types of sounds — the constant whir of power equipment in a woodworking shop, for instance, or the sudden, acute blast of a nearby explosion — can cause noise-induced hearing loss.

But a recent lab breakthrough has brought scientists closer to reversing the type of hearing loss caused by exposure to noise that is just too much.

Noise can damage sound-sensing hair cells in the inner ears. These hair cells cannot regenerate themselves in humans — or in any mammal. But birds and fish can create new sound-sensing hair cells as needed, and scientists have been searching for years for a way to bring humans that same capability.

The theory goes that hearing will improve when newly generated hair cells replace the ones damaged by loud noises.

The Harvard Medical School team that took on this challenge recently has answered that question: Yes, the mammals used in this experiment did regenerate hair cells in the inner ear. And, yes, those new sound-sensing cells also helped them recover some of their lost hearing.

The researchers gave lab mice with noise-induced deafness a drug that blocked a cellular pathway in the inner ear. When the mice received the drug, the pathway was blocked — and different types of cells near the ear’s cochlea, called surrounding cells, transformed themselves into hair cells.

And with that, the mice recovered some of their hearing.

Scientists hope further research will provide a bonafide method for reversing deafness in some of the 250 million people around the world who have suffered hearing loss. And that’s an outcome worth making some noise about.

The scientists studied two groups of cats, both belonging to people who worked during the day and returned home at night. One group lived in smaller abodes and stayed close to their owners, while the other group lived a more feral existence both indoor and outdoor. They also slept outside at night. The cats in the first group eventually reflected the lives of their owners, even using the bathroom at the same time as them. Cats also tend to adopt the personalities of their people, becoming shy, outgoing, friendly or arrogant. On the other hand, the freewheeling felines who slept outside at night started behaving more like feral cats with more independent inclinations.

Likewise, there is some credence to the idea that humans fall into two categories: cat people or dog people. A University of Texas at Austin study found that self-described dog people typically exhibit extroversion, friendliness and conscientiousness. Cat people usually rank higher in neuroticism and openness to experiences.

So despite their perceived standoffishness, you can in fact influence your cat’s behavior. Practice productive play by encouraging your kitty to play with toys rather than your hands or furniture. Provide entertainment with a fish tank or T-V during the day. And to make sure you can get some sleep at night, play with and feed your kitty right before bed. You’ll be on the same schedule in no time.

Asthma is among the world’s most common diseases, with about 25 million sufferers in America alone. Studies have long indicated the correlation between exposure to certain chemicals and the onset of the disease. Now, evidence shows that asthma is also more likely to occur among workers in professions where contact with these toxic elements is common.

A study just published in The Annals of Occupational Hygiene tracked the health of more than 13,000 adults for a period of 10 years. During that time, 479 of the participants were diagnosed with asthma.

After looking at gender and profession, the researchers found that 7 percent of the women’s cases were correlated to the workplace while that number jumped to 14 percent among men.

Furthermore, the study showed that certain professions were much more likely to lead to asthma, including painting, office cleaning, plumbing and hairstyling. Workers in these industries were much more likely to contract asthma as they were exposed to a variety of poisons in the solutions they handled. Even health care workers and social service providers were singled out due to excessive exposure to detergents and the latex in gloves. People who were exposed to certain epoxies found in glue, varnish and foam plastic were the most likely of all to come down with asthma.

While the researchers did not issue specific warnings for workers to renounce their professions, the hope is that more stringent workplace safety measures will be put in place to limit exposure to dangerous chemicals.

After all, everyone deserves to breathe easy.

Bloat is also called gastric dilatation-volvulus [dill-ah-TA-shun VAHL-vue-luss], or G-D-V. It starts when a dog’s stomach swells with food or gas and gets much worse when the stomach twists and causes an obstruction.

A dog with G-D-V is often agitated, retching and pained with a swollen abdomen. In severe cases, dogs collapse. Big dogs with deep chests, like Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes and German Shepherds, are most at risk, but even small breeds can develop G-D-V.

Bloated dogs need emergency medical stabilization prior to surgery that will reposition and secure the stomach. With immediate treatment, the survival rate for G-D-V approaches 80 percent. That starts by knowing the signs of this deadly problem, because every minute counts.

A new study from McGill University in Canada had more than 100 people with high cholesterol eat two servings of probiotics a day. Nine weeks later, their L-D-L or “bad” cholesterol levels were 12 percent lower than those who took the placebo. Total cholesterol dropped 9 percent while H-D-L or “good” cholesterol and blood triglycerides were unchanged. The yummy yogurt also reduced cholesterol esters by 6 percent. Cholesterol esters are a derivative of cholesterol itself but are still considered a type of fat.

So how does strained dairy impact cholesterol? Scientists believe the bacterium lactobacillus can lower cholesterol levels by breaking up molecules known as bile salts, thereby reducing absorption of cholesterol in the gut. And all it took was 200 milligrams a day, much less than the amount of soluble fiber or other supplements required to achieve the same effect.

Unpasteurized sauerkraut and Korean kimchi, which are fermented vegetables, also contain probiotics along with a slew of immunity-boosting vitamins. Miso soup, made from fermented soybean pastes, is packed with probiotics, too, and can take a bite out of appetite. Soft cheese, sourdough bread, buttermilk, tempeh and sour pickles also pack a punch. Kefir (kuh-FEAR) and acidophilus are drinkable forms of the fermented fat-fighter. However and whatever you eat, be sure to pick probiotics to cut cholesterol.

Well, brace yourself, because what you are about to hear may make you gulp.

In clinical experiments, patients with brain diseases and inflammatory bowel disorders are swallowing thousands of whipworm eggs taken from the intestines of pigs.

Once these eggs reach the patients’ intestines, they hatch into worms. The body naturally eliminates these creepy crawlers after about a week, and the treatment is repeated.

Meanwhile, researchers in Britain plan to administer parasitic hookworms to multiple sclerosis patients via topical patches.

The worms will burrow into the volunteers’ arms and cause infections that will be prolonged for about nine months, after which the volunteers will be “de-wormed.”

The hope is these deliberate infestations of parasitic worms … technically called helminthic (hell-MIN-thick) therapy … will reboot the patients’ immune systems, creating a helpful, anti-inflammatory effect that could be useful against a range of diseases, such as M.S. and Crohn’s disease.

Why these wormy interventions are helpful is mysterious, though.

Scientists speculate people who grow up in modern, hygienic conditions don’t come in contact with as many germs as earlier generations did. Their immune systems go into hyperdrive at the slightest threat, and their bodies become ravaged by friendly fire, explaining the rise in autoimmune problems such as diabetes and allergies.

Another explanation says we’ve lost touch with the ancient germs we evolved with, which again pushed our internal ecosystems out of balance.

Whatever the reason, growing evidence shows helminthic therapy may be helpful, similar to how the bacteria in yogurt aid digestion.

Of course, more research is needed before worms win a place in the dairy section of the local grocery store.

But according to the research, this just isn’t true … especially for women. Even women who smoke just one cigarette a day are more at risk for cardiac problems than those who don’t light up.

Past studies have shown that cigarette smoking is a definite risk factor for unexpected cardiac death, but until now, the extent of these risks among apparently healthy women was an unknown.

A large study recently published in the American Heart Association’s journal, Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology tracked the health of more than 100,000 U.S. nurses, ages 30 to 55, over a 30-year period. Three hundred-and-fifty-one of these women died of sudden cardiac death during the study.

When the investigators accounted for other risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and family history of heart disease, they found that those who smoked were more than twice as likely to die suddenly as those who never smoked, and for every five years of continued smoking, that risk rose 8 percent.

Even for light smokers, there was a two-fold increase in risk of sudden cardiac death.

But the study also gave hope to those who quit, with results showing that for those who stopped smoking for 20 years or more, the risk of sudden cardiac death fell to that of someone who had never smoked at all.

The researchers say these findings are important because they show that smoking just a couple of cigarettes a day could still seriously affect someone’s future health by increasing the risk of sudden cardiac death. Women shouldn’t delay quitting until the occurrence of heart disease but rather preempt that coronary event by giving up cigarettes in the first place.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office calls elderly financial abuse an epidemic that undermines the health of older Americans. It estimates that older adults were defrauded out of at least $2.9 billion in 2010, forcing tax-supported safety nets to step in to cover the cost of their health care.

Now, new research is showing for the first time that age-related changes in the brain may leave older adults particularly vulnerable to fraud.

In a University of California, Los Angeles study, two dozen young volunteers between 20 and 42 and more than 100 adults who were 55 or older were hooked up to sophisticated brain scanners and shown pictures of faces.

Some of the faces were normal and sincere.

Others were more like Snidely Whiplash from Dudley Do-Right, with averted eyes, forced smiles and unnatural head tilts intended to trigger suspicion … although none of them actually twirled a handlebar moustache.

When younger volunteers saw a smarmy face, an area of their brains associated with emotional reactions and gut instincts lit up. The same region in older adults was dark.

Younger adults far more readily identified the untrustworthy faces, while older adults tended to view most of the faces as trustworthy … even the suspicious ones.

Both groups rated trustworthy and neutral faces about the same.

Researchers aren’t sure whether older people pay less attention to facial clues, or whether their brains can’t process the warning signals.

But knowing why people increasingly view dishonest faces as trustworthy as they get older may be useful in the development of strategies for healthy cognitive aging.

And even though it’s not going to earn any parenting accolades, reaching for a fatty, salty snack can be the response guaranteed to satiate a child’s never-waning appetite. But the results of a new study suggest that a healthier snack can be not only lower in calories, but also just as likely to satisfy.

A Cornell University study tested 200 elementary school students divided into several groups that were given different types of snacks. Some ate chips, some vegetables, some cheese, and some a combination of cheese and vegetables. And all the kids were invited to enjoy their snacks while watching an hour of TV.

The result: The children who munched on the cheese-and-veggie combo ate 72 percent fewer calories than those who snacked on potato chips. The cheese-and-veggie kids also reported satisfaction rates as high as children who munched chips.

Was it the crunch of the vegetables that made them so satisfying? The fun of eating them with the cheese? Or maybe that the veggies and cheese took longer to eat than potato chips?

Perhaps. But the important message of the study is that eating healthier, low-calorie foods can satisfy a child’s craving for snacks.

This study isn’t the only one trying to crack the code of how to get children to eat their vegetables.

Another study found that 8- to 11-year-olds ate about one-third more vegetables when they were given creative marketing names such as “X-Ray Carrots” and “Power Punch Broccoli.”

And recent research in Spain calculated that children were 80 percent more likely to eat their vegetables when allowed to choose their own.

So now that we know more answers to the age-old question of how to get children to eat their vegetables, the new question is: Can parents learn how to reach for something healthy and not just something convenient?

Researchers say the number of young people who develop shingles has increased six-fold … and they’re not sure why. Shingles is a painful, blistering rash caused by the virus responsible for chicken pox. The virus, herpes zoster, becomes dormant in the body after a case of chicken pox. Shingles develops if the virus becomes active again.

Anyone who ever had chicken pox can get shingles, but people usually develop the condition when they’re over the age of 60. But the number of new cases in young people, especially college kids, has got researchers alarmed. If you have your first case of shingles at 20, there’s a higher chance of recurrence over the next 60 or 70 years. In fact, some researchers actually say there’s a higher chance shingles will recur than occur in the first place.

There is a vaccine to prevent shingles if you’ve had chicken pox, but it’s only recommended for people who are at least 60 years old. If you’ve had chicken pox as a child and aren’t old enough for the vaccine, managing stress may help lower the chance of shingles. Researchers say high stress combined with low immunity appears to trigger the condition.

Shingles is not contagious, but you should not touch anyone’s rash or blister if they suspect they have shingles. People who come in contact with shingles and did not have chicken pox or the chicken pox vaccine as children could develop a case of chicken pox.

As more people receive the chicken pox vaccine, the number of new shingles cases is expected to decrease. So if you’ve never had chicken pox, it may be time to check with your doctor about getting vaccinated.

Research has shown that pollution causes developmental delays in children, but the effect seems to span generations. The study looked at memory test results of more than 15,000 men and women over the age of 50. The researchers then compared the results with the E-P-A’s annual average level of fine air particulate matter. Every 10-point increase in air pollution exposure was connected to a one-third point drop in the memory test score. Although that doesn’t sound like a lot, it actually equates to three years in aging.

Air pollution cause problems when the particles are inhaled into the lungs and even the brain. It’s especially aggravating to those with heart and lung disease, who often require hospital and emergency room visits even after just short-term exposures of 24 hours or less. Exposure of a year or more can lead to respiratory disease.

The 10 most polluted cities in 2012 were Bakersfield, Hanford, Los Angeles, Visalia and Fresno in California, as well as Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Louisville and Philadelphia. The good news is that if you live in one of these contaminated locales, there are a few things you can do to reduce your exposure. Don’t exercise outdoors and limit exertion when pollution levels are high. Drive with the air-recirculating button on when commuting. Fit your home with filters to reduce particles inside, too. Limiting the use of wood-burning stoves, fireplaces and candles can keep air cleaner, too. A little foresight and planning can keep your lungs, heart and brain pollution-free.

In the world of food allergies, peanuts lead the pack, with shrimp and eggs trailing as a distant second and third.

About six out of every thousand people are so sensitive to peanuts their only recourse is to avoid them altogether … or face severe reactions.

Hives and itching are the least of the symptoms. At the extreme end, anaphylaxis can cause the throat to swell and blood pressure to plummet. It could kill.

The problem is peanuts are used in a variety of food-processing facilities and are common ingredients in soups, sauces, cereals, salads, desserts and candy. Peanut butter allegedly tastes great with chocolate. And it is very hard to avoid.

Now, in carefully supervised conditions, researchers are exposing people with peanut allergies to tiny amounts of peanut powder underneath their tongues in an effort to desensitize them.

The goal of therapy is not to introduce people to the pleasures of peanuts, but to protect them from becoming deathly ill in case they are accidentally exposed.

Because peanut allergies are so dangerous, great care is taken to tailor a tolerable dose.

After 44 weeks of daily therapy, 14 of the 20 participants could tolerate 10 times more peanut powder than they could when they started.

After 68 weeks, gains for the volunteers taking the immunotherapy were even higher, with minor side effects, such as itching inside the mouth.

Doctors from National Jewish Health in Denver and the University of North Carolina led the study.

But take heed, the treatment is far from being ready for prime time and definitely should not be experimented with at home because of the risks.

If you are allergic, remember, peanuts are dangerous … in or out of a nutshell.

And so, in search of measurements for the emotion that can’t be bought and can barely be defined, medical researchers don’t monitor the pursuit of happiness, but rather the pursuit of “life satisfaction.”

Not surprisingly, exercise seems to play a role in how satisfied people are with their lives — so much so that researchers at Penn State recently determined that if you’re having a bad day, adding just a few minutes of physical activity can turn your mood around.

But what, precisely, explains the link between exercise and life satisfaction, or even a great mood?

Recent research suggests that human beings are genetically engineered to enjoy exercise. A University of Arizona researcher headed a team that examined whether other mammals experience the “runner’s high” that is well-known in humans.

The good mood humans experience after exertion is caused by endocannabinoids, the chemicals present in the reward centers of the brain. Researchers found that after brisk treadmill runs, humans and dogs register higher levels of the chemical, while ferrets — whose bodies are not built for running — did not.

The resulting hypothesis: The positive emotions humans feel after a run might have evolved to encourage our hunter-gatherer ancestors to run for their food.

It appears that humans need about 20 minutes of moderately intense running to bring on the chemical change. For couch potatoes simply exercising a time or two might not cut it, though. You have to build up the ability to maintain the right intensity.

After that, getting hooked on a feeling, to quote one song, just might lead to more satisfaction, to quote another.

But getting your peepers examined routinely can detect and deter many ailments — like blindness — before they start. March is Save Your Vision and Workplace Eye Wellness Month, dedicated to keeping this most vital organ healthy.

As it turns out, the eyes have it — and are in fact a window to not only the proverbial soul, but to general health as well. An eye exam can uncover serious problems, such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes and brain tumors.

Furthermore, eighty-six percent of those who already suffer from an eye disease do not regularly visit their eye doctor for fear or because they lack insurance coverage. Early detection can save eyes from degeneration or disease.

But there are a few things you can do before it ever comes to that. If you have diabetes, manage your blood sugar carefully to prevent blinding conditions such as diabetic retinopathy. Wear sunglasses outside — the sun can burn sensitive retinas just as it does skin. While not as fashionable as your favorite shades, it’s also a good idea to don some safety goggles when wielding racquetballs, sharp pruning shears or a lawnmower. Debris can fly up and into eyes.

Eating a balanced diet heavy on vitamins like A, C, E and zinc wards off macular degeneration, which can lead to blurred vision and eventually blindness.

So don’t become a Mr. Magoo — protect your peepers and they’ll take care of you.

As the number of people who develop gluten intolerance, allergies or celiac disease increases, so does the market for gluten-free products. More of these products are popping up on grocery store shelves and restaurants than ever before, and manufacturers keep finding new ways to substitute gluten-filled ingredients like wheat and barley.

And now, the demand for gluten-free products has made its way to the beer industry, too. Beer is made up of four ingredients: water, yeast, malt and hops. Malt is full of gluten, which means that beer lovers who are diagnosed with a gluten allergy, intolerance or celiac disease should not consume the beverage. Several breweries across the nation are working to create gluten-free beers to help this growing consumer base, and people who aren’t allergic to gluten but are following a gluten-free diet may be interested in these adult beverages, too.

A brewery in Vermont created a gluten-free beer using sorghum (sore-gum), a cereal-crop used in a lot of gluten-free baking. The crop is high in fiber, iron and protein.

Another company uses chestnuts as a substitute for wheat and barley in their brews.

Other popular ingredients in gluten-free beers are rice and millet, another cereal-crop. These ingredients are often used alongside sorghum.

No studies have been done to see if gluten-free beer is healthier than regular beers, but these options make life a little easier for people who cannot, or do not want to consume gluten.

Even though these beers aren’t made with wheat, they do contain a similar alcohol content, so drink responsibly.

For those who keep to the Irish-American tradition, the bad news is this: the meal is not exactly healthy. Corned beef contains about 285 calories for a four-ounce portion and is packed with a whopping 1,286 milligrams of sodium per serving. That’s more than half of the sodium you’re supposed to have all day. Pair the meat with cabbage, mashed potatoes and an Irish beer, and you have a caloric bomb on your hands.

But if you must have your corned beef and cabbage for St. Patty’s, there are ways to make the meal healthier. At the butcher, ask for an extra-lean cut of corned beef. Cut off all visible fat and steam-cook it to melt away any additional fat.

If you’re willing to give up the corned beef but still want a meat entree, why not try pork tenderloin or sample slow-cooked flank steak instead? These dishes are just as mouth-watering but have far fewer calories and sodium.

For healthier side dishes, experiment with green vegetables to celebrate the holiday. Cabbage can be prepared with white wine and sliced apples, and the potatoes can be sprinkled with lemon and parsley instead of loaded with butter and salt.

A healthier meal this St. Patrick’s Day will be beneficial in the long run, as a low-sodium diet lowers blood pressure and may decrease the risk of stroke. But if you want to indulge, don’t feel too bad. It’s OK to occasionally nosh on foods you love. Moderation is the key.

Research has long focused on the physical payback, equating dance with any form of solid exercise. But a study just published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine shows that dance helps to reduce stress as well, even in teenagers.

Investigators selected urban girls ages 13 to 18 who had exhibited previous issues with moderate depression, low self-worth, or constant feelings of exhaustion. None required dramatic psychiatric care but all were subject to life-disrupting episodes, such as psychosomatic illnesses and missing extended time from school.

The girls were randomly assigned to two groups. Fifty-nine of them received 75-minute dance classes twice a week for eight months during each of the first two years of the three-year study. The other 53 girls in the study did not attend the dance classes.

The participants who took dance classes were asked to rate their own health based on a five-point scale before the classes began, and then three more times during the study, with the last measurement coming eight months after the classes ended.

The results showed that the girls who took dance showed more improvement in their ratings of their own health even four to eight months after the classes ended when compared with the girls in the control group. And nine out of the 10 girls who took dance also said they enjoyed it.

Researchers acknowledged the study does not address exactly why the dance classes work the way they do to alleviate a teen’s stress level. But for teens who like to dance, a whirl across the dance floor may just lead to healthier living all around.

The spice is rich in manganese, iron, calcium and fiber, and research suggests it can prevent cancer, improve Alzheimer’s disease symptoms, strengthen cognitive function and help people lose weight. A recent study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that incorporating cinnamon into meals can dramatically reduce blood glucose levels and insulin resistance.

Cinnamon is most commonly used in the U.S. for desserts, but there are many ways to add cinnamon into your everyday diet, including several you’ve probably never even thought about.

Have you ever noticed the cinnamon shaker that sits next to the sugar at Starbucks? Sprinkle cinnamon into your morning coffee to get an early jolt of flavor and energy. If you don’t drink coffee, you can sprinkle cinnamon onto your morning toast, juice, tea or cider.

Many Middle Eastern families incorporate cinnamon into their lunch and dinner by using it as a seasoning for chicken and rice. In the Persian culture, cinnamon is mixed with rosewater to make curry powder for stews.

Cinnamon can be sprinkled onto an apple as an afternoon snack. Adding cinnamon to butter, cheese and pies enhances their natural tastes, too.

Health experts aren’t sure exactly how much cinnamon you should incorporate into your diet but most suggest about half a tablespoon. If you don’t like the taste of cinnamon on food, there are also cinnamon pills on the market that claim to provide the same health benefits.

Not only does cinnamon add richness and flavor to meals, it provides many health benefits that can help you lead a healthy lifestyle.

The formula, available as a calculator online, comes just in time for National Nutrition Month. It adds together a child’s birth weight and body mass index, the number of people in the household, the mother’s professional level, and her smoking habits during pregnancy. Combined, the data is enough to identify a child’s likelihood of becoming obese when preventive measures aren’t taken.

Pointing out how difficult it is for children to lose weight once they’ve gained it, researchers at the Imperial College London say the risk assessment is more a tool of foresight than an absolute calculation of destiny.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one-third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese.

But researchers say evading obesity isn’t the only goal they have for the calculator. They also hope it can help parents keep their kids from developing accompanying conditions, like Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

But why should parents be concerned about obesity while their children are still in diapers? Researchers say public prevention campaigns aimed at school-age children haven’t been effective at preventing obesity. Instead, they hope to make an impact by empowering those with the most influence over young children’s nutritional foundations — their parents.

The secret to slowing down the obesity epidemic may not be as simple as crunching a few numbers, but parents can use the handy formula as a heads-up to remain vigilant of their children’s eating and exercise habits before a weight problem tips the scales.

These fertility-killing chemicals, known as perfluorochemicals (per-floor-o-chemicals), or P-F-Cs, are found in commonly used cleaning products, clothing, food packaging, nonstick cooking surfaces, electrical wire and furniture. Another type collects in the fatty tissues of animals we eat.

Researchers followed 500 couples for a year and took regular blood samples as they set out to conceive. Women recorded their monthly cycles and the results of their pregnancy tests. The scientists guessed the likelihood of each couple seeing that little blue line based on the concentration of the chemical compounds in their blood. They found that couples with high levels of these chemicals had a 20 percent harder time getting pregnant, about the same effect that smoking has on fertility.

One solution to avoid ingesting these malicious microbes is to trim excess fat from meat before cooking, or to avoid fatty cuts altogether. Besides that and avoiding secondhand smoke, there’s not a whole lot you can do to escape PFCs since they’re so persistent in our modern environment. But there are a few things you can do to boost your chances of having a baby in other ways.

Know when you’re ovulating, as an unfertilized egg lives just 12 to 24 hours after leaving the ovary. Maintain a healthy weight and eat foods rich in folate, like spinach. Keep your body ready for baby and fertility will follow.

Not only can they show you your way or identify an obscure song, now new research shows that mobile phone applications may also be an important part of a successful weight-loss program.

While other studies have shown the benefit in using many hardware and software solutions to help in monitoring one’s health, this investigation was the first to demonstrate that technology can specifically generate sustained weight loss when paired with an existing program of nutrition classes.

Researchers spent one year monitoring 70 adults, all of whom were enrolled in health education classes that included modules on exercise, nutrition and behavior change. Each participant was assigned weight and exercise goals, and was encouraged to keep a daily diary reflecting changes. Half of the group was also given a cell phone that enabled transmission of their results to a coach. Those with the phones were also given the opportunity to speak with the coach for 10 minutes each month.

Two years after the beginning of the study, the researchers found that those who used the mobile apps lost an average of almost nine pounds and maintained that for a year, while those who did not use the mobile app lost nothing.

The fact that a coach was available to those who were given the cell phone and not to the control group was not significant according to the researchers, because the amount of time the coach was available for feedback was minimal.

However, the researchers did note that the cell phone users received immediate feedback via the phone and perceived that the coach was watching their results, leaving them feeling more accountable … and that may be the reason the cell app is an ideal way to help in weight loss.

It might be endometriosis. March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, dedicated to helping women understand the symptoms of this condition that affects almost 176 million women and girls worldwide.

Endometriosis is a reproductive and immunological disease in which tissue similar to the uterine lining drifts outside the womb and plants itself in other areas of the body. When this endometrial tissue attaches to other body parts, they can become swollen. The inflammation may create scar tissue around the area, developing into lesions, nodules or growths. Endometriosis is largely responsible for so-called killer cramps and painful periods. And there is no known cause or cure for the condition. A procedure called a laparoscopy can confirm a diagnosis of endometriosis.

Other symptoms include abdominal cramps or back pain during menstruation, painful and heavy periods and difficulty becoming pregnant.

Mild symptoms may not require treatment, but hormones can help reduce the size of growths as well as blood produced during menstruation, which can ease pain. For women trying to get pregnant, laparoscopic surgery can remove scar tissue and improve fertility.

But even simple home remedies like heat pads, leg elevation and regular exercise can boost blood flow and soothe pain. Endometriosis doesn’t have to mean a life of being bedridden during that time of the month. A mix of medication and good old T-L-C can keep this condition in check and your period pain-free.

But there is some not-so-good news. Scientists are investigating the possibility that the drug may contribute to asthma development in some children.

Past research has linked use of the pain reliever by very young kids to the potentially deadly disease. A recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology shed more light on the subject. The study showed that the more acetaminophen a child consumed before age 1, the more likely he would be to show early symptoms of asthma through age 3. Those symptoms include wheezing, coughing, breathlessness and other problems.

When the number of days a baby took acetaminophen doubled, the child’s risk of asthma symptoms grew by 28 percent. But the link didn’t exist by the time the kids reached age 7. The researchers suggest it may be a temporary phenomenon.

All the children studied were born to women with asthma and considered at high risk of developing the disease. It’s not clear how normal-risk kids might be affected by acetaminophen use, or whether other painkillers may also promote asthma development.

The study authors say their work doesn’t prove the medicine causes asthma or its symptoms. More research is needed before scientists can be sure.

For now, it’s O-K for kids to take acetaminophen, as long as it’s administered correctly. Parents should give the drug only when it’s really necessary and carefully follow dosing instructions. Be sure to never give a child multiple meds containing acetaminophen, and stick to age-specific formulas, too.

Moms and dads, you know your kids best. If junior’s breathing seems off, contact the pediatrician for a check-up. Better safe than sorry.

Physicians and dieters alike have long known that stress can prompt overeating. But now scientists have an explanation for why.

Neuroscientists know that the brain produces endocannabinoids (endo-can-uh-bin-oids), which are chemicals that help brain cells talk to each other. These neurotransmitters are busy in the hypothalamus — the part of the brain that regulates appetite, metabolism and manages the organ’s response to stress.

Scientists at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute in Alberta, Canada found that when they took food away from rats, a series of reactions unfolded, creating what scientists describe as a temporary rewiring of the brain. And that rewiring impaired the endocannabinoids’ ability to regulate food intake.

Dieters experience the frustration of this brain response. When they try to cut back on calories and deprive themselves of food, the stress causes the brain to transmit hunger signals.

The dieter might not be hungry, but the hypothalamus thinks it is.

This research could create hope for frustrated dieters. In the same study, scientists found that when the effects of stress hormones were blocked in the rats, taking food away did not cause their appetites to rev up.

What does this mean for obese and overweight people trying to lose some pounds? Researchers aren’t yet sure of the implications, but one tip nutritionists have been extolling for years might have found its scientific basis in this study. Planning your meals in advance can help your brain know where its next meal is coming from, perhaps subverting a bit of the stress.

A bit of forethought can help a dieter steer clear of the faulty rewiring that puts the appetite center of the brain in overdrive.

The sneaky culprit behind the calories is alcohol’s high sugar content. The F-D-A considers alcohol a source of added sugar, and federal guidelines recommend that no more than 5 to 15 percent of calories come from sugar or fat. That comes to one drink a day for women and two for men — but the National Health and Nutrition Examination study revealed that women and men exceed these limits by 12 and 19 percent, respectively. The study also found that men’s main source of alcohol is beer while women sip mostly on wine and spirits.

One serving of alcohol equates to 100 to 150 calories. For example, one 12-ounce beer is about 150 calories, while a five-ounce glass of wine will set you back 120 calories. And that’s without all the added sugar of syrups loaded into mixed drinks.

But if you just can’t give up your daily dose of booze, try sipping smartly with these tips to lower liquid calories. Choose light beer and pour wine only to the half-glass to keep it within a serving. For a lighter liquor libation, choose vodka or tequila with club soda and a squeeze of lime. Try light fruit and vegetable juices as a mixer, or better yet, go straight up with flavor-infused liquor on the rocks.

Keep your liquid calories in line and you’ll be dropping pounds in no time.

The science in the study is called sensory acquisition, a phenomenon in which facial expressions arm humans not only with cues about their environment, but also with the traits needed to survive it. For example, a fearful expression allows us to open our eyes, breathe in through our noses and improves perception. The opposite is sensory rejection, such as in disgust when we wrinkle our noses to block air from entering nostrils.

The scientists tested this theory by collecting sweat samples from men while they watched a scary or repulsive movie. A group of women then smelled the sweat samples, and sure enough, those who smelled the scary sweat expressed fear and those who sniffed the repulsive sweat made faces of disgust. They also found that the sweat affected the women’s visual perception. Interestingly, the actual smell of the sweat didn’t affect whether a woman expressed disgust.

It goes to show that communication is not limited to words and sight, sound, touch and hearing. Humans can smell their way to what scientists call “emotional synchronization.” Research has shown that emotions are very contagious, and such emotional synchronization among groups makes our bodies and brains function similarly.

So if you find yourself in the middle of an argument with your spouse or loved one, just smile and see what happens. You might just spark a reconciliation and smell or smile your way to a closer relationship.

In a tightly controlled study at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, researchers allowed participants to snooze for just five-and-a-half hours each night. The longer they maintained that sleep schedule, researchers found, the worse they did on visual performance tests — even when the participants themselves reported that they didn’t feel that tired.

The results come as researchers are learning an unprecedented amount about the importance of a good night’s sleep, which may help prevent everything from high blood pressure and diabetes to osteoporosis.

New findings suggest that sleep deprivation also has consequences for the immune system, which reacts to sleep loss the same way it reacts to stress. But the findings that link poor sleep habits to being overweight or obese might be the most intriguing of all.

In the journal Current Biology, German researchers revealed how weight gain can be caused by a disconnect between people’s normal work hours and the hours their bodies would prefer to sleep.

The published study used the term “social jet lag” to refer to the experience of people who sleep on one schedule during the work week and adjust their sleep patterns to get an extra hour or two of rest on the weekends.

The researchers found that for every hour of this “social jet lag,” a person’s risk of becoming overweight or obese increased by about one-third.

Study authors say the best way for people to combat social jet lag is to embrace the body’s preferred natural sleep pattern, which probably calls for sleep between 1 a.m. and 9 a.m.

But that kind of sweeping shift in society is not on the horizon. So don’t call your boss and say you’ll be in at 10 just yet.

For girls, this news is nothing new. Pediatricians and researchers documented 15 years ago that girls were entering puberty earlier than they used to. But only recently did the American Academy of Pediatrics demonstrate that boys are also beginning to mature as much as two years earlier than previously recorded.

The study showed that African-American boys show signs of puberty at age 9, on average, while the average white or Hispanic boy enters this stage of maturity at age 10. Genes influence when puberty begins, which accounts for the differences among races.

The study, led by the American Academy of Pediatrics, was exhaustive. Two hundred pediatricians in 41 states recorded information on 4,131 boys between the ages of 6 and 16.

Scientists have used their understanding of girls’ earlier maturation to study its connections to everything from obesity in children to infertility issues women might encounter later in life. Heavier girls are generally believed to enter puberty earlier — a fact that shouldn’t come as a surprise, given that body fat is connected to the body’s production of estrogen.

The study gives parents better information about normal expectations for their sons. But researchers stress that just because they now know that boys mature faster doesn’t mean they are any closer to understanding why.

Theories abound. Could higher obesity levels and more video games be at fault? Perhaps the chemicals in processed food are to blame? Researchers simply don’t know.

As for parents, this new knowledge might not help them much. They are seldom equipped for the changes puberty brings, no matter when it starts.

With MyPlate, the USDA attempts to simplify its dietary recommendations. For example, a quick glance at the graphic tells you that about half your plate should be fruits and vegetables. The USDA recommends eating approximately two cups of fruit, two-and-a-half cups of vegetables, six ounces of grains, five-and-a-half ounces of protein and three cups of dairy each day.

Next, the USDA took MyPlate to the street — er, cafeteria — and made the first nutritional improvement to school lunches in 15 years.

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act requires schools that receive federal aid and lunch reimbursements to follow guidelines on caloric content and food types.

Elementary school students are limited to a 650-calorie meal, while middle school and high school get 700 and 850 calories, respectively. Fruits and vegetables are both daily requirements and must make up two-thirds of a lunch. Milk must be either 1 percent or nonfat and at least half the grains must be whole.

However, not everyone is willing to give the new lunches a taste test; many schools are reporting that food waste is at an all-time high. Some students, especially athletes, have voiced complaints about being hungry, while others are opting for vending machines and nearby fast food.

While the USDA is trying to combat childhood obesity by introducing healthy eating habits at an early age, the battle begins at home. Parents can encourage children to eat healthier by talking to them about different food choices, involving them in cooking meals and only providing nutritious snack options.

Not that cerebral strolls to no place in particular are phenomena of the cyber age. Most of us have shared the experience of momentarily forgetting why we were rummaging through drawers or closets.

Minds wander. Luckily, they know how to find their way home. But sometimes, particularly in older adults, getting lost in thought has a more literal meaning.

In a study delving deep into our genetic structure, researchers with the University of California at San Francisco tried to understand what goes on in the actual DNA of midlife people who are thoroughly focused in the moment, versus those folks whose minds have a tendency to wander.

They looked at telomeres (telo-mirrors), the caps of DNA at the ends of chromosomes that keep them from getting tangled with neighboring chromosomes. To understand this, think of how a knot at the end of a rope keeps it from unraveling. As we get older, these caps get smaller.

In a study of 239 healthy women aged 50 to 65, the volunteers who reported the most mind wandering had shorter telomeres, while those who rated themselves as more engaged in the moment had longer telomeres. This suggests that the shape of our chromosomes may be an indicator of our mental health.

It’s unknown whether a fuzzy mind leads to shorter telomeres, or whether shorter telomeres cause minds to wander. Or, it could be some outside factor is at work fraying our DNA and fogging our focus.

The answer will be interesting. It is something wandering minds certainly will want to know, even if they happen to be become absorbed in a story about the Duchess of Cambridge along the way.

More than three-quarters of women in the study had an increase of spots in the white matter of their brain, while only 60 percent of non-migraine sufferers had brain changes. Researchers cautioned that migraine-sufferers shouldn’t get scared, though because the lesions don’t change cognitive function. The frequency and severity also don’t increase the number of spots that accrue over time. While the lesions probably can’t be healed, they might not be caused by migraines.

More research is needed to determine the relationship between the lesions and migraines, but in the meantime there are some tweaks and tricks you can use to tame the terrible twinge of a migraine. Fifteen percent of American suffer from migraines, most of them women. Menstrual periods often ramp up the mean reds in 60 percent of women, but hormone therapy might help. Your genes might be to blame — they run in families, with children having a 50 to 75 percent chance of getting them too. Weather changes and motion sickness can bring on a bad one. Bright lights, loud noises, stress and overstimulation in general can also trigger migraines, but a regular sleep schedule can keep them at bay. Triptan is a medicine known to narrow blood vessels and thereby soothe pain and nausea.

With medicine and careful management, migraines don’t have to be a show-stopper.

But midlife is also a turning point in our health. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that even for the most healthy 55-year-old men and women, some type of cardiovascular disease is inevitable.

Still, the research shows that there is good news. Investigators looked at the health data of patients who were part of five separate National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute–funded community-based studies 45 years. All participants were free from cardiovascular disease when they began the studies, and several health conditions were taken into account, including blood pressure, total cholesterol levels, diabetes and smoking status, all of which could contribute to the risk of heart ailments.

Using this data, the researchers then calculated lifetime risk estimates of cardiovascular disease for the participants at age 45, and then every 10 years through age 95. Investigators looked at several forms of heart disease, including fatal and non-fatal coronary episodes, all forms of stroke, and congestive heart failure.

The findings revealed that the long-term threat for heart-related disease was strongly associated with risk factors present during midlife. In fact, on average, participants with optimal heart health at age 45 developed cardiovascular disease between eight and 14 years later than those who had at least two risk factors for heart disease at age 45, reinforcing the notion that keeping fit helps us age in more healthy ways.

So a happy heart could really lead to a longer life.

Experts say the constant presence of social media and smart phones — and texting in particular — is influencing us in a few significant ways.

First, the constant presence of our phones means we are always connected. By being constantly connected, it’s hard for us to ever be truly alone. If we forget how to be alone, we simply feel lonely when we are by ourselves.

Second, by exchanging actual conversation for texts and updates, we make convenience and control a priority, substituting real conversation for mere connection. Controlling what we say and how long it takes to say it is alluring, but we miss out on the messy, complex interactions that help us develop conversational skills.

Third, we expect more from technology and less from each other. Technology provides the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship.

This is all particularly detrimental for adolescents, who are still developing social skills. Adolescents are also developing a sense of identity that can be hindered by the constant presence of a cell phone, which often tethers them to their parents. While this can be reassuring to parents, many adolescents today are not experiencing the same independence their parents enjoyed as teens.

This is not just an issue for children, either. Parents are increasingly distracted by technology, and children can find themselves competing with a smart phone for attention — say, at the breakfast table.

Want to combat this? Try occasionally banning cell phone use at home. Or make the dinner table a sacred space. Technology is fine, just make sure to keep the conversation flowing, too.

The study, published in the journal Nature, exposed mice to three-and-a-half-hours of light followed by three-and-a-half hours of darkness for two weeks. They had increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol and displayed signs of depression, like moving less, taking less pleasure in fun activities and showing less interest in new objects. They also suffered learning deficits.

Though the study needs to be tested on humans, the science behind it is based on what mice and men have in common: Photoreceptors in our eyes pick up light signals and activate the brain’s limbic system, which controls memory and emotion. At night, it’s supposed to rest, but bright light charges it up again.

The research backs up previous studies that have shown how bright light from electronic devices like T-Vs, cell phones and laptops can disrupt sleep cycles by decreasing melatonin levels. It could even increase the risk of heart disease, obesity and cancer.

So what if you’re a shift worker and can’t block out the light? Scientists suggest dimming overhead lights and computer screens. Get more light during the day and shut it out at night. Unplug electronics to minimize light pollution. Regulating your sleep cycle to sync with daylight hours can get your brain and body more in tune and feeling better in February and the months to follow.

Over the ages, loose stones and banana peels may have given way to skateboards and motocross bikes, but the principle of an unexpected crash landing has remained comedy gold.

But for some segments of the population, a sudden fall has never been funny.

In the United States, falls send nearly 300,000 people age 65 and older to the hospital each year … for broken hips alone.

Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say hip fractures frequently cause long-term disabilities and even lead to death. The toll is expected to rise as the population gets older.

Medical treatments can lower hip fracture risk. Getting plenty of calcium, vitamin D and exercise also helps.

But wouldn’t it be helpful to more accurately identify people most prone to hip fractures, and get them tested and treated for osteoporosis?

Scientists with Karolinska Institute in Sweden analyzed digital hand X-rays with a technique called D-X-R and linked them to patients in a national fracture registry.

They found 122 people who had received hand X-rays before seeking treatment for broken hips. And the patients had significantly lower-than-normal bone density in their hands.

The thinking is patients at great risk for hip fractures could be identified during routine emergency room X-rays.

Researchers say the costs of measuring hand bone density are minimal, especially considering that osteoporosis patients who fall often require surgery, hospitalization, admission to nursing homes and extensive rehabilitation.

This results in billions of dollars in medical costs each year. And one out of five hip fracture patients will die within a year.

That’s no laughing matter.

Black tea, green tea, red wine and cocoa all contain something called phenolic phytochemicals, which are known to function as preventive agents against damage from cell-damaging free radicals. Previous studies have measured the antioxidants in fruits, vegetables and teas, as well as red wine. This study added hot cocoa to the equation, in the most complete comparison of these drinks to date.

The results suggest that cocoa may provide more antioxidant benefits than tea or wine.

Researchers analyzed the composition of the four beverages on a per-serving basis. They found the antioxidant capacity of cocoa was four to five times stronger than that found in black tea. It was two to three times stronger than green tea, and almost two times stronger than red wine.

While chocolate bars also have strong antioxidant capacity, they contain a large amount of saturated fats. A typical chocolate bar has eight grams of fat per serving compared to a fraction of a gram in a cup of hot cocoa, making cocoa a much healthier choice.

So if you’re health conscious, but looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, the occasional cup of cocoa may do the trick … and benefit your health.

Penn State University researchers fed the green tea antioxidant to lab mice, along with a serving of cornstarch. The animals’ blood glucose level still spiked in reaction to the starch — but only by about half as much as the levels in mice that received the cornstarch without the antioxidant.

The outcome led researchers to believe that a serving of about one-and-a-half cups of green tea may help humans better manage their blood sugar.

That’s a big benefit — but it’s not the only one that this super-beverage boasts. Other research has shown that a compound found in green tea can cause cancerous tumors to shrink, and yet another study suggests that products containing green tea can be effective sunscreens. In fact, green tea has been credited with fighting cancer and heart disease, lowering cholesterol, preventing diabetes and delaying the onset of dementia.

One complaint about the research into green tea’s health benefits is that the work has been confined mostly to the lab and not tested in the real world. But a more troubling concern is also apparent in the research: The problem is, people in the United States generally just don’t like to drink green tea. According to a survey from the American Institute for Cancer Research, green tea is actually the least popular non-alcoholic beverage among Americans.

The next question for researchers, then, might not be how green tea can help health, but how to get people to drink it.

Dates … the fruit that is … are in season in February, and five out of five nutrition experts agree that these tasty fruits make a great source of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

According to the initiative Fruits&Veggies — More Matters, just one-fourth of a cup of dates provides 12 percent of the daily value for fiber, eight percent of the daily potassium recommendation and six percent of the daily manganese recommendation. Minerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron are plentiful in dates and work to lower blood pressure, too.

According to the California Date Commission, dates are free of trans fats, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, and making dates a part of your daily diet can contribute to keeping your heart healthy. Because dates produce their sweet flavor naturally, no added sugar is required. Dates can even provide a natural alternative to added sugars.

Some might choose a date based on personality, but when it comes to these dates, it’s all about the looks. Nutrition matchmakers say shoppers should choose dates that are shiny, uniformly colored and not broken. Dates have a long shelf life and do not require refrigeration. They can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for several months or in a refrigerator for up to a year.

Another bonus? Little preparation is needed to enjoy this date. A quick rinse and they’re ready to eat. If you don’t mind the prep time, you can also stuff dates with nuts, mix them into salads or eat them in a wrap. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, wrap them in bacon and serve them at your next party.

So, this Valentine’s Day look no further than the produce aisle for your perfect date.

The poll suggests entrepreneurs translate their drive and discipline into their overall lifestyle, making a habit out of eating fresh fruits and veggies and exercising regularly. Their flexible schedules might allow more time for sweat sessions. In fact, 60 percent of entrepreneurs said they worked out for 30 minutes at least three times a week, compared with just 54 percent of office workers. What’s more, past studies have shown that employees who have more control over their schedule and workplace enjoy better job satisfaction, feel more loyal to their organization and enjoy better health overall.

The study found one major difference, though: One in four self-employed people didn’t have health insurance, compared to just one in 10 office workers. So while entrepreneurs may take better care of themselves, they might have a harder time taking care of serious medical issues.

But no matter where or who you work for, taking control of and maintaining a healthy work environment can make a difference in your health. After all, you spend at least 40 hours on the clock. A comfortable chair is a must to protect your back, and be sure to take regular standing or walking breaks to ensure better blood flow. Keep antibacterial wipes handy to keep your keyboard and desk clean. Last, stash healthy snacks nearby to avoid the siren call of the vending machine when the afternoon slump hits.

It may be a bit unsettling at first, but there should be some solace in knowing not only does electronic record-keeping help your doctor stay more organized, but evidence now shows that in the long run, you’ll be healthier as well.

Previous investigations yielded mixed results, but in a new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, there was clear proof that doctors enhanced the quality of their care when they used electronic records.

Working with the Health Information Technology Evaluation Collaborative in New York, researchers analyzed data supplied from nearly 500 doctors and their 75,000 patients regarding the quality of patient care. That information was then compared with the method the doctors used for record-keeping.

The results showed that 56 percent of physicians who used commercially available technical solutions provided considerably superior quality of care than doctors using paper records. Although the study did not address the specific ways in which technology ultimately leads to better patient care, the investigators suggested several possibilities. For example, doctors may have enhanced medical decision-making capabilities due to the real time nature of computers. Also, email and other online methods allow patients and providers to communicate regularly, which could give health care a boost.

If your doctor has yet to switch over to automated record-keeping, don’t feel too left out. More than likely electronic methods are on the way to your doctor’s office. The U.S. government has invested up to $29 billion dollars in incentives for medical offices that make use of these systems. Sooner or later, that PC will make its way into your examining room, too.