Healthy Living: Diabetes Care During Sick Days

Hand held electronic diabetes monitoring devices. Metabolic diseases, blood sugar. Image used in the 2012 Annual Research Report.

When you are sick, your blood glucose levels are harder to regulate. Being sick often causes blood glucose levels to rise, which can lead to serious health conditions. It is important to have a plan to manage your sick days so you are prepared ahead of time. This 3-page fact sheet is a major revision that provides information on the ways illness can affect blood glucose, suggestions for easy foods to have on hand, and a checklist to use when deciding whether a call to a doctor is in order. Written by Jennifer Hillan, Emily Minton, and Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised February 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy884

Efficacy of Herbicide Active Ingredients Against Aquatic Weeds

Hydrilla in a lake

Weed control is often a critical component of aquatic vegetation management in Florida waters. While physical, mechanical, and biological controls are utilized where they are feasible, herbicides are the primary tool used to control many troublesome species. This document answers some common questions and provides efficacy information for all herbicide active ingredients labeled for aquatic use in Florida. Written by S. F. Enloe, M. D. Netherland, W. Haller, and K. Langeland, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, revised February 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag262

Seguridad Alimentaria: Juegatela seguro con los huevos

Fresh eggs at the farmers market downtown union street.

Los huevos frescos pueden contener bacterias que podrían causar una enfermedad llamada salmonelosis. Esta enfermedad causada por alimentos provoca vómito y diarrea. Esta puede ser severa y hasta podría ser fatal para los adultos de mayor edad. Reduzca el riesgo de contraer esta enfermedad al seguir estas pautas. Written by Linda B. Bobroff and Jennifer Hillan, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised February 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy194

Seguridad Alimentaria: Su cocina pasa la prueba?

Cutting vegetables and food preparation.

Los adultos mayores corren un mayor riesgo de contraer enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos. Para ayudar a reducir el riesgo, es importante tener prácticas de manipulación de alimentos sanas. Cómo se compara su cocina? Written by Jennifer Hillan and Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised January 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1163

South Florida Tropicals: Avocado

Avocados growing on a tree. Avocado fruit. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.

This 4-page fact sheet is a major revision that discusses the background, availability, selection, ripening, storage, uses, yield, nutritive value, and basic, safe preparation of the avocado. The document also contains several avocado-based recipes. Written by Linda B. Bobroff and Amy Simonne, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised January 2018.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/he606

Healthy Meal Plans

Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli and onions in a fresh salad. Food, vegetables, healthy eating. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.

A meal plan is a guide to help you plan daily meals and snacks. It allows you to eat foods you enjoy that provide a good balance of nutrients for your health. Meal plans can be used by anyone interested in healthy eating, and they are very helpful for people who want to manage their weight. This 20-page fact sheet is a major revision that discusses meal plans, food lists, and healthy choices. Written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised December 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy522

Healthy Eating: Lowering Your Blood Pressure with DASH

Basket of fresh tomatoes and bell peppers.

One eating plan that has been shown to prevent and reduce high blood pressure is DASH. This 3-page fact sheet is a major revision that discusses the DASH eating plan, its importance, foods included in the eating plan, and servings. Written by Valerie Weyenberg, Karla P. Shelnutt, and Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised December 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1128

Living Well to Keep Your Pressure Down

Students running in the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida, exercise, bleachers, fitness. UF/IFAS Photo: Sally Lanigan.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, can cause serious health problems. It makes your heart work harder and can damage your blood vessels even if you feel okay. Everyone should have their blood pressure checked regularly. If you have certain risk factors, you are more likely to have high blood pressure. This 6-page fact sheet is a major revision that discusses risk factors and ways to reduce risk. Written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised November 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy305

Facts About Vitamin D

Fresh eggs at the farmers market downtown Union Street.

Vitamin D is needed for normal absorption of calcium and phosphorus. It helps put these minerals into bones and teeth. This makes bones stronger and reduces risk for bone fractures. Vitamin D also helps keep the immune system functioning normally, so our bodies can resist some types of disease. This 3-page fact sheet is a major revision that discusses effects of vitamin D deficiency, intake recommendations, and sources of vitamin D. Written by Linda B. Bobroff and Isabel Valentín-Oquendo, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised November 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy207

Prevencion de Caidas: Seguridad en el Hogar

Image used in the 2013 IFAS Extension Calendar. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.

La casa donde usted ha vivido la mayor parte de su vida ahora puede causarle problemas a medida que envejece. Lo bueno es que hay cambios que puede hacer para reducir el riesgo de caídas y mantener su casa un lugar seguro para vivir. Use la siguiente lista para identificar posibles áreas problemáticas en su casa. Repasado julio 2017. Written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy859

Sick Day Management for Adults with Diabetes Who Take Insulin

Hand held electronic diabetes monitoring devices. Metabolic diseases, blood sugar. Image used in the 2012 Annual Research Report.

When people have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and take multiple daily insulin injections, their blood glucose levels can rise drastically due to a cold or another minor illness. This can result in serious health problems. The best way for people with diabetes to prevent a minor illness from becoming a major illness is to have a personalized sick day plan designed with their health care provider before they become ill. This 4-page fact sheet is a major revision that discusses ways in which illness affects diabetes control, development of a sick day plan, times to call your health care provider, checking blood glucose and urine ketones, medicines, and diet. Written by Nancy J. Gal and Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised June 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1281

South Florida Tropicals: Carambola

The names carambola and mamey sapote may not be household words yet, but researchers at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences say these tropical "designer" fruits may bring sweet success for South Florida growers who lost hundreds of acres of groves and farmland in Hurricane Andrew. Tropical fruit crops specialist Jonathan Crane, shown tasting a carambola or "star fruit" at UF/IFAS' Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, is working with farmers to establish the new crops in the area. UF/IFAS economists say the fruits, already popular in Asian and Hispanic cultures, could create valuable new markets for South Florida.The carambola or star fruit is native to Southeast Asia. It was introduced to Florida about 100 years ago. This 4-page fact sheet is a major revision that discusses availability, selection, uses, nutritive value, and food safety during preparation of carambola. This document also includes several recipes. Written by Amy Simonne and Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised April 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/he613

Healthy Eating: Understanding the Nutrition Facts Label

University of Florida Associate Professor Linda Bobroff shows a student how to read a nutrition label on a frozen dinner, Tuesday (10/14), as part of Smart Food Shopping for Teens, a program developed at UF's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. The program also teaches teens about enviroshopping, the practice of choosing products that are not overpackaged and that can be recycled. The program is aimed at teaching teens good shopping and eating habits before they form bad ones.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that most food packages have the Nutrition Facts label. This label contains information about nutrients in the food to help people make healthier food choices. Older adults can use the label to choose foods that provide required daily nutrients or fit with a diet plan to manage a disease or health condition. This 4-page fact sheet is a major revision that discusses the Nutrition Facts label, checking calories, limiting certain nutrients, % Daily Values, and consuming enough fiber, vitamin D, potassium, calcium, and iron. Written by Linda B. Bobroff and Karla P. Shelnutt, and published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised May 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1127

Vida Saludable: Diabetes

Women running up stadium steps for exercise. Image used in the 2014 Research Discoveries report.

La diabetes es una condición que ocurre cuando el cuerpo tiene dificultad para producir o utilizar la insulina. La insulina es una hormona que controla la cantidad de glucosa (azúcar) en nuestra sangre, informándole a las células cuanta glucosa pueden dejar entrar. Cuando una persona tiene diabetes, el cuerpo no produce o produce poca insulina, o produce una insulina que no funciona bien. Esto resulta en altos niveles de glucosa en la sangre. Controlar los niveles de glucosa en la sangre reduce el riesgo de otras complicaciones.

This 2-page fact sheet is a major revision that discusses diabetes and management techniques. Written by Linda B. Bobroff and Paulina Wittkowsky, and published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised June 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy081

High Blood Pressure: What You Need to Know

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, increases your health risks. If you have high blood pressure, you have a higher chance of developing heart or kidney disease or having a stroke. This 4-page fact sheet discusses medical problems associated with untreated high blood pressure, risk factors, risk reduction, causes, and prevention. Written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised October 2016.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy199

Prevent Osteoporosis: Catch the Silent Thief

Cheese made by the University of Florida Dairy department.

Osteoporosis means porous bones, or bones that have so many openings (pores) that they can easily break or be crushed. In the United States, 54 million people either have osteoporosis (10 million) or are at high risk (44 million) because they have low bone mass. By 2020, one in two Americans over the age of 50 is expected to have osteoporosis of the hip or be at high risk of developing the condition. This 11-page fact sheet discusses risk factors, calcium for bone building, calcium-rich foods, calcium supplements, vitamin D, and exercise. Written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised February 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy469

Carotenoids and Eye Health

Crown of broccoli. Photo taken 5/24/16.

A diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables provides a variety of nutrients as well as phytochemicals that can promote health. Lutein and zeaxanthin are two non-provitamin A carotenoids that may be protective against AMD, the leading cause of permanent central vision loss in older adults. This 3-page fact sheet provides an overview of carotenoids, AMD, lutein, zeaxanthin, risk factors for AMD, and good sources of lutein and zeaxanthin. Written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised October 2016.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1217

Nutrition for Health and Fitness: Fat in Your Diet

Avocados growing on a tree. Avocado fruit. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.

We frequently hear about the epidemic of obesity. We also hear a variety of recommendations for how much and what type of fat we should have in our diets. With new research being published all the time, it can get confusing for consumers. This 8-page fact sheet is a major revision that provides tips to help individuals meet dietary guidelines and reduce health risks, as well as a few tasty recipes to try. Written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised March 2017.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/he695

Healthy Eating: Improve Nutrition with SNAP

Varieties of green vegetables including lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli. Garden fruits and vegetables, foodstuffs. UF/IFAS Photo: Tyler Jones.SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called Food Stamps) is one of several nutrition programs that help people meet their dietary needs. This 2-page fact sheet provides a brief overview of SNAP and examples of ingredients for healthy meals. Written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised November 2016.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy918

Vida Saludable: Diabetes

Hand held electronic diabetes monitoring devices. Metabolic diseases, blood sugar. Image used in the 2012 Annual Research Report.

La diabetes es una condición en la que el cuerpo tiene dificultad de producir o utilizar la insulina. La insulina es una hormona que controla la cantidad de glucosa (azúcar) en nuestra sangre. Cuando una persona tiene diabetes, el cuerpo no produce insulina o produce muy poca insulina o una insulina que no funciona bien. Esto resulta en altos niveles de glucosa en la sangre.
This 4-page fact sheet is a major revision that discusses diabetes, possible consequences of high blood glucose, risk factors, healthy weights, symptoms, control methods, and ways to choose a healthy diet. Written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised October 2016.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy079