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by Susan Johnson
Office of Health Promotion
For many, life is busy, stressful and money is tight. Deciding what is eaten is often based on convenience, taste, cost and can be summed up in two words – dollar menu. What one may think is a bargain may actually be costing more in terms of one's health. Is there a way to create our own "$1 menu" that can provide the same benefits but without the cost? The American Heart Association has provided a list of healthy foods that are under $1: Apples, bananas, baby carrots (in bags), canned beans, canned tomatoes, oranges (extra large navel oranges), pears, lentils (dry), pearl barley (dry), yogurt (plain, lowfat, or fat-free), eggs, broccoli, sweet potato, brown rice, snap peas, green tea, oats and spinach.
At first glance this list may not win out over a fast food $1 menu, but with a little creativity it could become a healthier alternative. Let's take breakfast. A typical $1 menu or value menu meal usually includes some type of sandwich, hash browns and coffee and averages around 3,600 calories and a ton of fat. Yogurt sprinkled with oats and mixed with a sliced banana and green tea for approximately 300 calories and about $1. On the go? This meal can be purchased at most convenience stores – just grab a granola bar and crumble into the yogurt in place of oats.
Employee Wellness events
--Wellness Wednesday — Stress Management: Tips for dealing with holiday pressure from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dec. 5 in the Children's Hospital lobby.
--Final flu shot satellite clinic: the final clinic for flu shots will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dec. 5 in the Children's Hospital lobby. For faster service bring completed influenza consent form, found in My Records.
--Mobile mammograms: The Hollings Cancer Center mobile van will be conducting mammograms from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Dec. 12 behind the Clyburn Research Building. Call 792-0878.
--Worksite screening: The last worksite screening for 2012 will be held from 7 to 11 a.m., Dec. 13 in the Wellness Center auditorium. This screening, valued at about $350, is available to employees with the State Health Plan for $15 (covered spouses also can participate for $15). Employees and spouses without this insurance can participate for $42. The screening includes height, weight, blood pressure and a blood draw for a blood chemistry profile, hemogram, and a blood lipid profile. To register, go to www.musc.edu/employeewellness and click Worksite Screening.
MUSC Urban Farm
--Work and Learn with child-friendly activities from 9 to 11 a.m., Dec. 1. Bring a plastic bag and take home some fresh produce in return for work efforts on the farm. Wear closed-toe shoes.
--Early bird maintenance will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Dec. 4 and 5.
Contact Johnson, Ph.D., at johnsusa@musc.edu for information on the Office of Health Promotion and Suzan Benenson Whelan at whela@musc.edu for specific information about Employee Wellness. Events, speakers, classes, or any other ideas are welcome.
Friday, Nov.
30, 2012
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