Healthy Eating Habits

March is National Nutrition Month, making it an appropriate time to reevaluate your eating habits. Just because your New Year's resolutions may have faded away, doesn't mean you can't still make healthy decisions throughout the year. Use the following tips to improve your diet:

• Plan meals ahead of time to ensure you are meeting all five food groups.
• Avoid fatty foods that are high in calories; instead, opt for foods rich in protein, vitamins and nutrients.
• Drink water instead of sugary beverages.
• Eat home-cooked meals as much as possible because they typically have fewer calories and more appropriate portions than restaurants.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Understand Your Kidney Health

March is also National Kidney Month, making it an appropriate time to implement healthy habits that can reduce the development of kidney disease. Kidneys play a vital role in your body by filtering your blood to remove waste and extra water, making hormones that produce red blood cells, promoting bone health and regulating blood pressure. 

Tips for Promoting Kidney Health
Use the following tips to promote kidney health:

• Get tested. Get screened for kidney damage or disease. This can allow you to keep help track of your kidney health and prevent damage in the future.
• Reduce over-the-counter drug usage. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like borophene, can cause kidney damage if dosages are not correctly managed.
• Exercise regularly. Exercising can lower your blood pressure and boost heart health, which contributes to preventing kidney damage. Try to be active for at least 30 minutes each day.
• Maintain a healthy diet. Studies reveal that eating whole grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to keep kidneys healthy. A plant-based diet may also help prevent and treat kidney disease.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Water helps flush toxins and sodium from your kidneys. It’s recommended that men should drink approximately 124 fluid ounces each day, and women need about 92 fluid ounces.

Staying healthy can also have a a direct impact on your health insurance. It's not just about saving money for healthy lifestyle choices, but it can also mean less frequent visits to the doctor and a longer happier healthier life.

*Contact your doctor for more information about kidney health and warning signs of kidney disease.