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This Week's Healthy Tips

Nutrition
South Carolina-grown strawberries are in season now through the end of May. Strawberries are high in vitamin C, a good source of potassium and a source of fiber. Choose berries that are firm, brightly colored, sweet-scented, and have hulls (green caps) attached. Check underneath the top layer of strawberries in a box or basket for smashed or moldy berries. Do not buy boxes that are stained and leaking. Once strawberries are hulled and cut, they lose their vitamin C content quickly, so prepare them just before serving. Although it is hard to improve on eating fresh strawberries just as they are, here are a few other ideas for using them:

- Combine sliced strawberries and plain or vanilla yogurt for a lower-sugar alternative to commercial strawberry yogurt.
- Serve vanilla yogurt as a dip for whole strawberries.
- Fill a melon wedge with strawberries.
- Serve sliced strawberries on top of: cold or cooked cereal; ice cream or sherbet; pancakes, waffles or French toast (instead of syrup).
- Add sliced strawberries to a fresh spinach salad, and serve with poppy seed dressing.
-Add to a fruit salad. Instead of sweetening with sugar, try a little orange or pineapple juice concentrate as a "dressing."
-Make a "strawberry on a stick" by inserting a Popsicle stick into a large berry. Serve fresh or frozen.
-Clemson Extension Home and Garden Center, http://hgic.clemson.edu

Physical Activity
Occasionally, we learn about an athlete who died suddenly while jogging or exercising strenuously. These athletes typically had underlying cardiovascular disease that, when coupled with extremely strenuous activity, resulted in their death. Such events can plant doubts and fears in the minds of people who are thinking about leading a more active lifestyle. "Me? Exercise and end up having a heart attack? No way!" However, sudden deaths due to underlying cardiovascular disease are extremely rare, particularly among individuals participating in moderate-intensity physical activity.

Persons with known cardiovascular disease or persons who have already experienced a major cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack, stroke, or heart surgery, should have a physical evaluation by their physician before engaging in even a moderate physical activity program. But other than in those cases, most adults do not need to consult their physicians before engaging in moderate-intensity physical activity. If, however, they are planning to engage in vigorous-intensity physical activity, experts recommend that men over age 40 and women over age 50 should also consult a physician first.
-www.cdc.gov

Tobacco
Making your home smoke-free may be one of the most important things you can do for the health of your family. Any family member can develop health problems related to secondhand smoke. Children are especially sensitive. In the United States, 21 million, or 35% of children live in homes where residents or visitors smoke in the home on a regular basis. About 50% to 75% of children in the United States have detectable levels of cotinine, the breakdown product of nicotine, in their blood. Think about it: we spend more time at home than anywhere else. A smoke-free home protects your family, your guests, and even your pets.
-www.cancer.org

The Healthy SC Challenge is an initiative of South Carolina First Lady Jenny Sanford and SCDHEC.

Welcome from the
Governor & First Lady

Welcome to the Healthy South Carolina Challenge, a results-oriented initiative that we hope will motivate each of us to start making choices that can significantly improve our health and well-being.

We all benefit as South Carolinians if we not only join together and raise awareness of the need to live well, but if we each individually exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, eat right, and do not smoke.

By acknowledging the importance of personal accountability in our lifestyle choices, we can reduce the incidence and mortality of many chronic diseases currently impacting individuals and families in our state.

We look forward to celebrating the results that these healthy changes can bring to South Carolina!

Jenny Sanford
First Lady

Mark Sanford
Governor

Facts & Figures

“South Carolina is one of the unhealthiest states in the nation – ranking 46th in the country.” (US Health and Human Services Agency Study - 2004)

Physical inactivity costs our state an estimated $4,653,065,914 in medical care, workers comp and lost productivity each year – averaging about $1,466 per person. (SCDHEC & Active Living Leadership)

Smoking-related productivity losses in South Carolina reach almost TWO BILLION dollars each year. (SCDHEC)

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This Week's Healthy Tips

Welcome from the Governor & First Lady

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Facts & Figures

Welcome from the
Governor & First Lady