A daily walk helps reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Here’s how to get started.

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Hunger among the nation’s seniors is a growing concern. Yet the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is under-utilized by older persons. Formerly known as Food Stamps, SNAP provides monthly benefits for low-income people of all ages to buy groceries of their choice at participating food stores and farmers markets.

Nationwide, senior citizens have a lower sign-up rate for SNAP benefits than any other age group. Only a third of eligible seniors take part in the program according to data from the National Council on Aging. In NYC, less than half of eligible seniors receive help from SNAP. As many as 500.000 older New Yorkers go hungry each month for lack of money to buy groceries, despite the existence of a safety net program that could put food on their tables.

According to the NYC Dept of the Aging website, eligibility requirements for SNAP are more generous for senior citizens and disabled persons than for others. Individuals 65 and older who are living alone with a net monthly income of $1,915 can receive benefits. A two-person household with an elderly or disabled person and an annual income of $31,020 also qualifies for benefits. In addition, applicants can claim a number of exemptions that can increase the amount they receive, e.g. medical expenses in excess of $35 a month. Unfortunately, many potential applicants believe that they will only qualify for the minimum amount of $16 per month. In fact, according to the website Hunger Solutions, the average monthly SNAP benefit for households with an older adult in New York City is $180 a month.

There are a number of reasons why seniors don’t apply for SNAP, according to an AARP Foundation report. It appears that many eligible seniors don’t even know that the program exists. Among those who know about it, some are too embarrassed or too proud to apply, while others think that if they receive SNAP they will take food benefits away from others, especially children. The misperception that the application process is too difficult also contributes to its under-utilization.

Here is a list of organizations that are deemd “SNAP Outreach Providers”, and they will walk you through the process of getting SNAP.  Most seniors qualify for SNAP so please contact one of the organizations below to get started.

These foods may lower your risk for heart disease and boost heart health.

Eating a nutrient-rich diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium and filled with vegetables, fruit, whole grains and fish can help lower your risk for heart disease. When choosing foods to boost heart health, consider these nutrition tips:

• Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids. Commonly found in fish such as wild salmon and tuna, omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation, which is a precursor to heart disease. If you don’t enjoy fish or are a vegetarian, try adding flaxseeds or walnuts to your diet.
• Stock up on “super foods.” Foods such as oats, broccoli, blueberries and wild salmon have all been shown to have health benefits.
• Fill your plate with produce. Fruits and vegetables contain an assortment of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, helping to keep your heart healthy. Fill at least half of your plate with produce at each meal.
• Go nuts. Nuts provide protein, folic acid, niacin, magnesium, selenium, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids and other important vitamins and minerals, and they may help reduce your risk of heart disease. Walnuts and almonds are especially heart-healthy. Limit portions to one handful per day because nuts are calorie-dense.
• Satisfy your sweet tooth. Research shows dark chocolate contains antioxidants that may help prevent cholesterol from sticking to artery walls, reducing your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Chocolate also contains beneficial flavonoids. Be sure to choose dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa for maximum health benefits and stick with a 1-ounce portion.
• Pick the right fat. While unsaturated fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) are beneficial when consumed in moderation, saturated and trans fats are not. Olive oil, nuts and avocados are examples of good fats. Stay away from trans fats found in vegetable shortening, margarine, crackers, cookies and foods made with partially hydrogenated oils.

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Eating plant-based foods sounds healthy, but there are still drawbacks to this type of diet.

Many people follow a vegetarian diet in an effort to improve their health. The health-related benefits of vegetarian diets are well-documented. But there are downsides to this type of eating style, too. If you are thinking about following some type of vegetarian diet, consider these pros and cons to make sure it’s the right fit for you.

Pro: Vegetarian diets may lower your risk for disease.

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds are the core of a healthy, well-balanced vegetarian diet. These foods provide an abundance of health-protective vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber that may lower the risk for common chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, some cancers and obesity.

Cons: Just because it’s vegetarian doesn’t mean it’s healthy.

On the flip side, if your vegetarian diet includes a lot of highly processed foods instead of whole plant-based foods, the risk for some chronic diseases may actually increase. There are many junk foods that fit into a vegetarian diet but are not good for you—think soda, chips and cookies, among others. Packaged vegetarian meals and snacks may contain high amounts of added sugar, sodium and fat and offer little to no nutritional value. Keep in mind that just as with any diet, there are ways to make a vegetarian diet healthy and ways to turn it into a diet disaster.

Pro: You have options when it comes to going vegetarian.

You can determine the type of vegetarian eating plan that’s right for you. Some people eliminate meat, fish, and poultry from their diets but eat eggs and dairy. Others allow only eggs or only dairy. Some include seafood on occasion. A vegan diet eliminates all foods derived from animals, even things like honey.

Con: You may have possible nutrient deficiencies.

Some essential nutrients, such as vitamins B12 and D, calcium and iron, aren’t available in many plant-based foods. Vegetarian diets may provide these nutrients as long as food intake is planned properly, but supplementation is sometimes necessary. Top sources of these nutrients for vegetarians include:

• Vitamin B12: Found in animal products like eggs and milk (as well as meat, fish and poultry). Also found in some fortified cereals, nutritional yeast, meat substitutes and soymilk.
• Vitamin D: In addition to eggs and fish, also found in fortified plant milks and mushrooms. Vitamin D is also gained through sun exposure.
• Calcium: Aside from dairy products, calcium can be found in fortified plant-based milks, cereal, juice, tofu, collard greens, kale, broccoli, beans and almonds.
• Iron: You can get iron from eggs and also fortified cereal, soy, spinach, chard and beans. Pair iron-rich foods with vitamin C-rich foods like citrus, peppers or tomatoes to increase absorption.

Starting a vegetarian diet can be tricky when grocery shopping, dining out and eating in social settings. Over time this becomes easier, but it does require some work. Read labels on products and become familiar with common ingredients derived from animals, such as casein, whey and gelatin. At restaurants, keep in mind that meatless meals may be prepared with dairy or other animal products, like beef or chicken broth, so ask questions to make a selection that’s right for you. When dining at someone’s home, the best thing to do is to bring along a vegetarian dish that everyone can enjoy.

If you are committed to starting a vegetarian lifestyle, a registered dietitian can give you helpful tips that better ensure that your nutrition needs are being met.

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Now that adolescents and teens can get vaccines, you may have questions if they should.

At this time, children as young as age 12 have been approved to receive a COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer only). That leaves many parents wondering whether they should have their kids vaccinated or not.

In one survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation in April 2021, before the Pfizer vaccine was approved for children ages 12-15, 30% of parents said they would get their 12-15 year old child vaccinated right away, 26% said they would wait to see how it’s working, 18% said they would do it only if required by schools and 23% said they definitely would not vaccinate their kids.

The reality is that some parents can’t decide if vaccinating kids against COVID-19 is the right thing to do. They’re worried about vaccine safety and side effects. And they may be confused by misinformation circulating on the subject.

Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions from parents.

Why was the COVID-19 vaccine not originally approved for kids?

When vaccines were initially in development, the primary focus was on creating a vaccine that was safe and effective for adults, who were more at risk for serious complications from COVID-19.

When children get COVID-19, their symptoms are usually mild, if they have symptoms at all, so they were not initially prioritized in vaccine trials, approvals or rollout. But that didn’t mean vaccine manufacturers weren’t thinking about making sure vaccines were safe for kids. They just wanted time to conduct trials specifically on different age groups to ensure that what they deemed safe for adults was also safe for younger and smaller bodies.

So if kids aren’t at high risk for serious illness from COVID-19, why do they need vaccines?

Even though kids usually have milder symptoms than adults, getting them vaccinated will help prevent them from getting typical COVID symptoms (similar to the flu) or developing serious but rare complications from the virus. Vaccinating kids also helps protect family members, teachers and other people they come in contact with, since kids can transmit the virus even if they have mild or no symptoms. Additionally, achieving herd immunity – which is needed to lessen the threat of COVID-19 for our country and the world – requires vaccination of a high percentage of the population and that means vaccinating kids as well as adults.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for kids?

In early May 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared that the Pfizer vaccine is safe for adolescents (age 12 and older) and teens. It was previously approved for people age 16 and older. Pfizer’s clinical trial included more than 2,000 volunteers, ages 12 to 15. There were no cases of COVID-19 in any of the fully vaccinated participants. The FDA does not give out approval lightly – they only do so after reviewing evidence showing that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh any risks.

Use the NYC Vaccine Finder for the Vaccination location nearest you. It’s Fast and Easy!

Why is Pfizer the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for kids?

Every pharmaceutical company that makes COVID-19 vaccines has been conducting its own clinical trials. Pfizer was simply the first one to get approval from the FDA to administer their vaccine to people under 18. The others are also conducting clinical trials on people of varying ages and may be seeking approval for younger age groups if and when they can show it’s safe.

Do kids experience the same vaccine side effects as adults?

Studies show that when kids have post-vaccine side effects, they’re typically the same mild symptoms as those reported in adults. Common symptoms include a sore arm, fatigue, muscle aches and fever, usually occurring 24-48 hours after the shot.

Will my child be required to have vaccine proof to go back to in-person school?

The federal government has left it up to states to determine whether vaccine proof will be required for access to public places, including schools. Hundreds of colleges and universities have announced vaccine requirements for students beginning in fall 2021. Most public school districts are still working on their policies. Your child’s school or daycare facility will let you know whether a COVID-19 vaccine will be needed for enrollment and what type of proof will be required, if any.

Use the NYC Vaccine Finder for the Vaccination location nearest you. It’s Fast and Easy!

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