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Bodytalk
Question: How does iceberg lettuce compare with other lettuce varieties? Looking past tip of
iceberg on salad plateAnswer: Iceberg lettuce is usually thought of as the least healthy of all the varieties of lettuce. It's true that it's lower in nutrients than other kinds of lettuce, but it's shortcomings have been overblown. Here's why. Usually, when we toss a salad, we add other veggies such as carrots, peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers. These, along with iceberg lettuce, still add up to a low-calorie, high-fiber, nutrient-dense salad.
Even though iceberg lettuce offers up fewer nutrients, it's still the most popular variety of lettuce. There are two reasons why. First, it's a lot cheaper than other varieties, and second, its flavor is more mild compared to other, darker varieties.
So, should you eat iceberg lettuce?
Well, if eating iceberg lettuce means you'll be more likely to eat salad, then by all means do so. You may want to introduce new flavors into your salad by mixing iceberg with romaine or some other darker variety of lettuce.
Remember, eating iceberg lettuce is better than eating no lettuce at all.
Q: I recently suffered a mini-stroke. I'd like to know what steps you think I should take to prevent a second stroke from occurring.
A: Before I get to your question, I'd like to first explain what a stroke is, for those readers who aren't sure.
A stroke occurs when there is an interruption in the flow of blood to a part of the brain. This interruption injures or kills nerve cells in the affected area.
Most strokes are thrombotic strokes. Thrombotic strokes are caused by a clot in a blood vessel in the brain, which has been narrowed by atherosclerosis.
A second, less common, type of stroke is called a hemorrhagic stroke. These strokes occur when a blood vessel in the brain bursts.
People at the greatest risk for strokes are anyone over 55, men, African- Americans and individuals who already have had one. If you've already had a stroke, the odds are quite high that a second stroke will occur unless you immediately change your health habits.
If you smoke, then the first and most crucial step you can take to prevent a second stroke is to quit smoking. Here are some other very important measures, and by the way, these are good guidelines for everyone who has never had a stroke as well, and wants to avoid one.
Cut back on alcoholic beverages. The experts recommend no more than two drinks per day for a male, one for a female. Better yet, make that one or two drinks per week for everyone.
If you're overweight, lose weight. Even losing 10 pounds can make a difference.
Control your cholesterol levels. There are a number of ways you can do this. Eat less animal foods, eat more fruits and vegetables, exercise daily and take medicine if recommended by your physician.
If you have high blood pressure, do what's necessary to lower it. You can eat less sodium, exercise more, eat more fruits and veggies, eat less saturated fat and take medication if needed.
If you're diabetic, be sure to follow your doctor's orders.
In general, eat more cruciferous vegetables like broccoli.
Check with your doctor about low dose aspirin therapy to help prevent blood clot formation. Finally, find ways to reduce your stress, and learn ways to manage the stress that's unavoidable.
Health Events
Stephenie Karony is a certified health
and fitness instructor, a personal trainer and the author of
"Body Shaping with Free Weights." Send questions to her at
P.O. Box 262, Wailuku Hi. Her column appears on Wednesdays.