Healthy Living

with Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom

 

Question of the Month

Q. Are plastic bottles safe? Should I stop using them?
A. Plastic products are everywhere, and we use them daily in products ranging from baby bottles and toddler sippy cups to plastic sports bottles. But all plastics are not the same. The safety of a compound called bisphenol-A (BPA) found in polycarbonate bottles (recycle number "7" printed on the bottom of the bottle) recently has been called into question as a possible endocrine-system disruptor, linked to numerous illnesses. For now, instead of using polycarbonate bottles, switch to glass, stainless-steel or aluminum bottles. An important distinction is that most single-serving, disposable water bottles, as well as plastic juice and soda bottles, are made of polyethylene and do not contain BPA (recycle number "1"). Avoid washing and reusing the polycarbonate bottles, as they are designed for single use, and repeated washing can break down the plastic and release other plastic components.

Food Safety and the "Five-Second Rule"

More than 70 million cases of food-borne illness are reported every year, according to the Center for Disease Control. One sure way to combat this is to ignore the "five-second rule" for food dropped onto the floor. Most Pittsburghers are very familiar with this old wives' tale: that it's fine to eat dropped food, as long as it's picked up within five seconds. While some old wives' tales turn out to be true, this one does not. Studies show thousands of bacteria clinging to foods after just a few seconds on the ground. When you think about what your floors come in contact with from the outside on the bottom of your shoes or on the feet of your pets, you'll want to reconsider eating something dropped onto the floor. Let's rename this the "no-second" rule!

The Skinny on Nuts

Nuts are one of nature's perfect foods, rich in protein, heart-healthy fats, fiber, magnesium, zinc and vitamin E. Nuts should be a regular part of a healthy diet, but they can be a dieter's nightmare. Why? All of that heart-healthy fat makes it a calorie-dense food - just a small amount is loaded with calories. It's hard to know how many nuts are a serving; they're so small, it's easy to overindulge. Now it's a lot easier to stay in control. With new single-serve packages of almonds and other nuts, you can have an on-the-go snack, or add nuts to a salad for extra protein and flavor, with built-in portion control. Look for 100-calorie packs of Blue Diamond almonds, found at Walgreens and other local suppliers. Trader Joe's also has 200-calorie bags of almonds or cashews, as well as a mixed-nuts version, aptly named "just a handful."

In the News

Cardiovascular disease, the cause of heart attacks and stroke, is a dreaded word for millions of Americans across the country, as well as a major health problem in our region. A body of research now shows that "inflammation" of blood vessels and heart tissue might be a predictor of future risk, in addition to such factors as your cholesterol level. Measuring the blood level of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) appears to be a good marker for inflammation and a valid tool for assessing heart-disease risk. Check with your doctor to see if this test might be for you. If you are at increased risk, lifestyle change (stopping smoking, losing weight, increasing activity) is always essential, whether or not your doctor recommends additional medications.

If you have a health question for Dr. Fernstrom, e-mail her at fernstrom@wqed.org.

 

Dr. Madelyn H. Fernstrom, Ph.D., C.N.S., is the founder and director of UPMC's Weight Management Center. She is the diet and nutrition editor for NBC's "Today Show" and is the author of The Runner's Diet. Also visit "Health Journal with Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom," a health and wellness blog at iVillage.com.