Health

The myth of the “freshman fifteen” hovers in the minds of many teenagers before they head off to their first year of college. Being on their own for the first time with the temptations of junk food and the stress of university can mean the fear of weight gain becomes a reality. Students generally only gain an average of five pounds, but the idea that such gain is inevitable can make the myth a self fulfilling prophesy.

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Due to a series of outbreaks of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in Beijing this summer, hospitals are apparently overflowing with cases of this contagious disease. To learn about the basics of HFMD and preventative steps you can take to stay healthy, check out Dr. Richard Saint Cyr’s recent article about the disease here.  

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Until recently, my only exposure to quiches was via my frequent trips to Comptoirs de France. I've now fallen in love with the delectable taste of these eggy creations (who knew eggs could taste that good!) My only complaint is that  quiches are often too filling for me to finish on my own.

So imagine my glee when I stumbled on a recipe for mini crustless quiches. Granted, I was drawn to this recipe because it saved me from the trouble of making puff pastry. Of course, the size of these cute little quiches appealed to me also.

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After a series of crib recalls over the past three years by the US Consumer Products Safety Commission, parents should think seriously about their crib purchases. In the latest wave, 2.2 million cribs from a total of 7 manufacturers were recalled last month in America. Mostly the unsafe cribs that are being taken off the shelves have “drop sides,” which allow for the convenience of varying the height of the side of the crib, but in flawed designs can create a gap for a baby to fall out or become stuck. In the past three years, at least 36 deaths were caused by flawed “drop sides” as well as other manufacturing flaws.

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There is a fine line between being honest about youthful indiscretions and actively encouraging illicit behavior, but the difficulty of finding the boundary for parents represents a moral dilemma for many who value their openness as authority figures. Because brain development continues into the mid-20s, early exposure to alcohol and drugs can permanently affect the way the brain functions. The increased risk for addiction creates the terrifying potential that an excessively honest parent may foster a substance abuse problem in their own child.

This anxiety is also compounded by a fear of losing the moral high ground in future arguments, with teenagers feeling vindicated by your actions. However, “the most important message a parent can give is not about the mistakes that can derail a child, but about the joys of finding your way.” Focusing on your child and the positives in the situation can help you navigate complicated questions.

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In light of yet another series of food scandals involving McDonald nuggets and melamine-tainted milk, China Daily reported over the weekend that inulin, a popular food additive and sweetener, has been found to induce stomach aches for some children if consumed excessively.
 
Inulin is a carbohydrate fiber that is found naturally in produce such as bananas, wheat, onions and garlic. When inulin is consumed from such unprocessed foods, it is hard to over-eat. However, inulin is often extracted and used as a food additive for processed products including chocolate bars, drinks and other snacks (and we know all too well how easy it is to over-eat chocolate!) If our intake of inulin is too high, we may experience symptoms such as bloating, stomach aches and diarrhea.

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With the adventures of travel and trying new types of food, the risk of eating something that causes gastroenteritis or traveler’s diarrhea increases. This “inflammation of the stomach” can be an unpleasant addition to anyone’s holiday, causing nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Even the most careful traveler can eat unhygienic food unawares and so it is especially important to keep yourself informed about prevention and treatment. Dr. Richard Saint Cyr’s article and accompanying slideshow about gastroenteritis provide basic information and suggestions for travel kit supplies to combat traveler’s diarrhea once you get sick.

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China Daily reported over the weekend that more melamine-tainted milk powder was discovered in a dairy plant in Qinghai province. Recalling memories of the contaminated products that killed six children and sickened 300,000 in 2008, 64 tons of dairy products were seized from the plant in June due to melamine levels 500 times above the maximum allowed.

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When a family has to change locations, at the top of the list for concerns for most parents is their children’s ability to make new friends and adjust to a new environment. They hold tight to the perceived benefits such as character building or even experiencing new cultures, but in the end it seems they can do more harm than good. A recent New York Times article reports that relocation during childhood can cause psychological damage that continues into adulthood.

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In an environment where eating hot foods in the scorching summertime is considered more healthy than consuming soothing cold meals, you might have trouble convincing your ayi to perform the following:

Grab a bowl and fill it to the brim with sweet, crunchy flakes, colorful fruity shapes, rich chocolately pebbles or any of the other cereal varieties available at your local supermarket. Add some cold milk, grab a spoon and violà, breakfast is served.

With recent research, you can safely explain to your protesting ayi—who might also be concerned with the high sugar content in this day-starter—that this classic Western fare has significant health benefits.

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