Nurses Corner: Fats... Good or Bad? by Nurse Heidi McGlown, RN
Fat has a bad reputation. Many people think the worst when they hear the word. While some fats can be harmful when consumed in excess, others can actually be helpful to the body. Saturated fats: These are solid at room temp and come from animal products and processed foods. A large intake of saturated fats can increase a person’s risk for heart disease and stroke! Monounsaturated fats: These are “healthy” fats that may lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and keep HDL (good) cholesterol at higher levels when saturated fats are kept in check. These can be found in foods like avocado, olive oil, sunflower oil, nuts and natural peanut butter. Polyunsaturated fats: These fats are also good for cardiovascular health and are commonly known as omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids. These can be found in nuts, seeds and fish! Trans fats: These fats are synthetically manufactured by adding hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid. They are NOT good for health but are widely used in products due to their stability, low cost and ability to extend shelf life of processed products. It is important to distinguish between helpful and harmful fats so that your body gets the healthy fuel that it needs. The best way to eat healthy is to consume less processed foods, but if you are going to consume packaged foods then you should read the labels before purchasing. Knowing what kinds of fats are in products can help you make smarter decisions. This may help you get better results on your next Wellness test and most importantly will help keep you healthy!
Spring Into Financial Wellness! by Kaylene Reynolds, Personal Banker III, First State Bank, Shannon-Polo-Lake Carroll
Spring (and summer) has sprung and it is time to start thinking positively about your financial wellness. Holiday spending may have impacted your bank account negatively so let’s shake the winter blues with 3 easy steps! Control your debt. If you have credit cards with higher interest rates, pay those off first and get rid of them! Also, pay smaller debts off by paying as much as you can on them and make only the minimum payments on the larger ones. By seeing those smaller debts disappear, it will prove to be a great financial accomplishment and great motivation to keep at it! Spend smart. Live within your means and document your expenses. By making your spending more visual, you will be more aware to where your paycheck is going each month. Utilize the saying “ask why before you buy.” Why do you need to buy something – is this a want or a need type of product or service? Increase savings. Give savings the same importance as paying your bills. You should try to save something out of each paycheck – no matter what the amount may be.Check with your financial institution on different types of sav ings accounts offered to steer you in the right direction of building up funds for emergencies, college tuition or even a new car. By exercising these 3 simple steps, you will be on your way to a healthier, happier financial wellness.
18 Crest Ink April, May, June, July, August & September 2020
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