Cold and Flu Season Alert!

As we enter cold and flu season, you or a loved one might become ill and require a medication(s) to overcome a lingering cold or flu. 

The following are a few helpful tips to ask, when you fill a new prescription.  Being prepared can make a big difference! 

 Here are some suggestions/questions the pharmacist:

1. Is there a generic version of the prescribed drug? A pharmacist can advise you if there is a generic option that is less expensive than a brand-name drug. “The key difference between generic and brand-name drugs is cost,” Pham says. “Generic medications have the same active ingredient as the brand name.” Not all generics are alike, however. As Pham points out, “some of the ‘fillers’ [inactive ingredients] may be different, and patients may prefer one brand over the other based on those.” In some cases, a generic substitute may not be available.
2. Are there major side effects or special instructions? Your doctor likely won’t go over every side effect when giving you a prescription, and the printed information about contraindications and side effects that comes with medication can be overwhelming. “They’ll list all these side effects, but there’s nothing that says how relevant they are to a particular patient and the other illnesses they have or medications they’re taking,” Dr. Fields says. Pham suggests asking the pharmacist specifically if there are any special instructions when taking medication, such as “take with or without food [or] stay out of the sun...”
3. What if I miss a dose? Accidentally missing a dose of medication is not unusual, and it’s not always cause for concern. But it’s important to know how you should handle the situation, should it happen.
4. How should I store my medication? Most medications should be kept in a dry area at room temperature, while others require refrigeration. Talk to the pharmacist about how to store drugs, as well as how to properly dispose of unused medications.
5. Ask for a medication review. If you’re taking several drugs,Tice suggests asking the pharmacist to help you draw up a schedule to maximize their effectiveness and avoid interactions.
6. Should I see a doctor? Even if you’re not having a prescription filled, you may want to consult the pharmacist about a condition you’re treating with over-the-counter medications. “[The pharmacist] can ask specific questions like where is the condition, what does it feel like, how long has this been happening, and what medications have you tried,” Pham says. “Pharmacists are a good resource to ask about common sense medical care.”

Nutrition Intuition

The long-awaited suggestions for the  2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as submitted by an independent advisory committee, have finally arrived! It has been five years since we’ve heard what government experts have to say about what we should be doing to lead healthier lives.  The most common theme and consistent change mentioned is moving from animal protein to more plant based
protein. 

A summary of the 2015 dietary guidelines is below: 


Protein. The push is to move meat from the starring role on the plate to the supporting cast. Make meat a side dish or swap in fish, nuts, beans, and other plant proteins. Cut the meat in your burger by combining ground beef or turkey with chopped veggies to cut calories and meet another goal — and that’s to increase your vegetable intake.
Added sugars should not account for more than “10 percent of total energy.” So what does that mean? I get it — it’s not easy to understand percentages! Here’s the quick math: The average caloric recommendation equals 2,000 calories (even though that’s more than many of us need). So 10 percent of 2,000 calories equals 200 calories. Then 200 calories of sugar equal 50 grams (gm) of sugar (one can of cola soda has 35 gm of sugar!)
But will this recommendation to cut sugar drive food companies to start using more artificial sweeteners? If you do choose an artificially sweetened product, be sure that it is one of value; an artificially sweetened yogurt that also contributes protein, calcium, and potassium is more valuable than a diet soda, which is devoid of essential nutrients.
Saturated fat should not exceed 10 percent of total calories. Unlike sugar, 200 calories of fat equals 22 grams. Be sure to check labels to find out what’s really in those casseroles and pizzas! Saturated fat content is listed on every food label.
Cholesterol is not considered to be a nutrient of concern for over consumption. Go enjoy an omelet for a change, but be sure to stuff it with lots of vegetables (which we are definitely not over-consuming!)
Sustainability was covered for the first time as more of us are concerned not only about what we eat, but also where it came from, how it got to us, and what happens to it when it gets disposed. A diet higher in fish and plant-based foods, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, and lower in total calories and animal-based foods is better for us and the planet.
Water is the preferred beverage choice, and this includes sparkling waters. Read labels to be sure your clear beverage is not laden with hidden sugars.
So what’s the bottom line on how to use this information? Let’s turn this document into a to-do list. You know each item on your list is important, but you can’t seem to get to all of them at once. To make these recommendations into daily habits instead of fly-by-night notions, take it one step at a time so that you can incorporate a few of these guidelines into your life instead of trying to change your life overnight to meet these goals. Here’s a slice of my to-do list:

• Don’t demonize or condemn individual components of a food (like saturated fat, sugar, or sodium) and instead, take a closer look at your diet as a whole. Are you skipping meals? Do you have portion distortion? Do you read labels? When’s the last time you ate a veggie?
• Changing your diet is not only about restrictions and reductions – it’s also about replacements. Shift your intake of saturated fats by reducing butter intake and swap in oils and avocado. Instead of pastries for breakfast, try whole grain breads and cereals. Ditch your meaty meals a few times a week and replace them with fish, nuts, beans, and non-animal sources of protein.
• And by all means, use everything in your power to bring your family together to share a meal and a conversation at the table. Children model their parents’ eating and exercise behaviors, so the habits you have today become the habits of generations to come.