The Basics

[OV8ION]

Want to be healthy? Do what the magazines and TV doctors and mothers have been yammering on about forever -- here's what they say....

Get enough sleep. Eight hours a night is good for most people. Do your homework early, don't stay up all night doing it. You'll feel better and learn better with enough sleep.

Drink a lot of water. They say eight glasses of water a day. You can drink other beverages too, but don't have 8 cups of coffee or 8 sugary soda drinks. Have mostly water, and if it bores you, squeeze some lemon or lime in it.

Avoid overdoing sugar and eat more vegetables. I think it's unrealistic to eschew sugar completely -- it's in ketchup, cold cereal, soda, the batter of corn dogs, etc. -- but keep desserts and sweet snacks to a minimum. This is especially important to remember during candy sales, such as the days after major holidays. They say to substitute fruit and veggie snacks, such as baby carrots and celery sticks, which have a pleasant crunch, for sugary and salty snacks.

Get enough exercise. About a half hour, three times a week, of walking or other moderate exercise should do a lot for sedentary people. Some housewives say they can get all the exercise they need by cleaning the house. Results vary widely, so I can't really attest to the truth of that.

[Ginger Spice Isle]

Good basics, friend. However, sugar is not the actual demon. It;s the body's processing of it. And, that means be aware of carbs. That what gets synthesised into blood sugar - our body fuel - and when this process isn't controlled by the body naturally with insulin production its's called diabetes! Not fun, but you can handle it. Sugar just is the quickwst form of blood sugar production. Atheletes fill up on Carbs before the Big Game to keep the blood sugar level up. Rice, potatoes, Bread. Check it out. And, canned foods will surprise you!

[Cecilia Davidson]

And considering you do need some salts in your diet, don't be afraid of having beverages with electrolytes (Powerade Zero or whatever it's called, though low-calorie and still artificially sweetened, does let you have access to needed salts). Don't ONLY have water if avoiding sodas or coffees or sweet tea.

[Dominatrix LaDeaux]

I think teenagers may have upped the count to 9 hours. Totally unrealistic, but they do need more sleep than adults do.

Sugar, while not horrible, does have many drawbacks. Among them, slowed immune functions and weight problems. I've cut all cane sugars out of my diet and it has proven to work exceptionally. While it does make shopping a bit more difficult, it leaves you to make fresh baked goods at home. Who would rather have store-bought cookies than freshly baked ones?

[Crud3]

Dominatrix LaDeaux

I think teenagers may have upped the count to 9 hours. Totally unrealistic, but they do need more sleep than adults do.

Sugar, while not horrible, does have many drawbacks. Among them, slowed immune functions and weight problems. I've cut all cane sugars out of my diet and it has proven to work exceptionally. While it does make shopping a bit more difficult, it leaves you to make fresh baked goods at home. Who would rather have store-bought cookies than freshly baked ones?

There is also concern that not just salt, but sugar as well increases risk of high-blood pressure.

I am a little skeptical of this. But I have checked some sources and have gotten ear all over the country.