WWW.NJCOPSMAGAZINE.COM ■ DECEMBER 2014
Healthy Living Tips From
Ask Our Physician
Healthy eating tips for the holidays: part II
Holiday parties and family gatherings present a special challenge
when it comes to eating healthy, and often threaten to railroad your bestintentioned plans to try not to gain weight during the season. A good
goal for this time of year is to savor the holiday moments — but not give
opportunity to regret overindulging after the season has passed.
Here are some additional healthy-lifestyle tips to help keep you on
track:
Amidst all the holiday commotion, remember to take care of yourself,
too. The little things you do for yourself are often the first to go in accommodating the holiday rush.
Stressed eaters are often emotional eaters, and emotional eating isn't
always healthy. But did you know exercise and stress management are
also closely linked? Exercise can be an extremely effective stress-reliever. Try these simple tips to down your stress and up your outlook:
•
Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
•
Park a little further from that store to add more steps in your
day.
•
Step up the pace while you’re shopping.
•
Don’t forget: plan ahead to stroll around the block after that
delish dinner (or even before).
Save the best for last. Being mindful of what you’re eating during the
holidays doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of holiday goodies;
just save them for last, eating those healthy salads, crunchy fruits and
vegetables first.
Remember: Every good thing you do for your health — each healthier choice of the moment—adds up to a better quality of life. d
Richard Kovach, M.D., Chair of
Interventional Cardiology at
Deborah Heart and Lung Center
I’ve heard some stories from neighRICHARD
bors and friends about their reacKOVACH, M.D.
tions to heart medications, and
how some medications work better
for some people than others. My doctor says I
need to see a cardiologist and get on heart medication. Is there any way I can make sure I am
getting the right medicine for my condition?
~ Frank M., Flemington
Your concern is certainly justifiable, Frank.
Nobody wants to take medicine that doesn’t agree
with them. For this very reason, Deborah Heart
and Lung Center’s cardiologists are now offering
state-of-the-art genetic analysis to help more
accurately predict their patients’ metabolic
response to various commonly prescribed cardiac
medications. This new science enables Deborah
cardiologists to put together a treatment plan
based on understanding each patient’s specific
genetic make-up. Please contact us at 800-5551990 if you would like an appointment with a Deborah cardiologist. d
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