Thursday, February 19, 2015

Dining Out with a Balanced Diet

Eating smart while eating out can be tricky. Whether you are out celebrating a birthday or grabbing a bite to eat on your lunch break, healthy options may not always be present or desirable. Unfortunately, the truth is that we could very easily consume over 1000 calories in under 5 minutes when eating away from home! The good news is that it doesn’t have to hard to dine out while maintaining a healthy diet. Here are some helpful hints to eating smart when dining out!

  • Only eat half of your plate.  Most restaurants have enormous portion sizes.  Ask for a to-go box when you place your order, and pack up half of your meal when it arrives.  You won’t overindulge, plus you will have lunch for tomorrow!
  • Don’t drink your calories. Skip the soda! Sugary drinks can easily add up to 500 calories to your meal. Stick with water or unsweetened iced tea.
  • Choose a nutritious side.  Have you been craving a big, juicy burger all week? Go for it! It is okay to indulge every now and again. Add some nutrients to your meal by choosing a healthy side.  Swap the fries for steamed broccoli or a side salad.
  • Be picky.  Don’t be afraid to tell your server how you want your food prepared.  Go ahead and ask for your chicken to be grilled instead of fried, or for a whole grain tortilla instead of a flour tortilla.
  • Be prepared.  Many restaurants have their menus available online. Check out their options beforehand, and be prepared to make the healthy choice before you head to the restaurant.
  • Choose a SmartPlate restaurant.  Lucky for you, there is already a list of local restaurants and their healthy options for your use! Head to www.smartplatewi.com to browse healthy menu items in the area, and try one for your next night out!





Treating yourself to a meal out doesn't have to be hazardous to your health! There are plenty of delicious AND nutritious meals to choose from!

Monday, February 9, 2015

National Condom Week!



With February comes Valentine's Day in addition to National Condom Week (February 8-14)!   Did you know that every year in the U.S. there are 19 million new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with young people ages 15-24 accounting for almost half of them?  Last year in Winnebago County there were 434 cases of Chlamydia in the age group of 15-24 year olds, which is a very common yet preventable STI.


The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2015) explains that consistent and correct use of the male latex condom reduces the risk of STIs and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. However, condom use cannot provide absolute protection against any STD.


The most common reason condoms fail is that they are used incorrectly.  We encourage all individuals who think they may be in a situation where a condom should be used to first obtain a condom and familiarize themselves with it in order to use it correctly when the time comes. Remember to never re-use condoms. There are specific steps that should be taken for correct condom use which include:
  1. Check expiration date on condom package.
  2. Squeeze condom package to make sure it contains an air pocket.
  3. Carefully open the condom package.
  4. Remove condom from package.
  5. Check rim of the condom to figure out which way to unroll it.
  6. Pinch tip of the condom.
  7. Place the condom on the erect penis and roll down.
  8. Have sex.
  9. Ejaculate.
  10. While male is still hard, he holds on to the base of the condom and pulls out of partner.
  11. Male turns away to take off the condom to prevent spilling on partner.
  12. Tie up used condom and dispose.
 
Getting condoms does not have to be an expensive or embarrassing task.  There are many locations in Winnebago County that provide free condoms to people of all ages.  These include:

Winnebago County Health Department - Bulletin Board
112 Otter Avenue, Oshkosh
Neenah WIC Office - Bulletin Board
211 N Commercial St, Neenah
Planned Parenthood - behind counter (ask)
Satori Imports - on display in a bowl
411 N Main St, Oshkosh
New Moon Café - behind counter (ask)
401 N Main St, Oshkosh
House of Heroes - behind counter (ask)
407 N Main St, Oshkosh
Streets of Fire - on display in a jar
415 N Main St, Oshkosh
Exclusive Company - in a jar at entrance
318 N Main St, Oshkosh
The Magnet Bar - on display in a jar
519 N Main St, Oshkosh

For more information on STI prevention, testing and treatment please visit www.winnebagopublichealth.org

Happy Valentine's Day!