- General Page Tier 3BlogMindful eating is an approach that examines our eating behaviors, focusing on how our eating patterns make us feel. Focusing on the experience of eating and becoming in touch with our hunger, fullness and satisfaction signals are all mindful eating strategies. This approach helps us enjoy food for the pleasure it provides. You can do this by eating slowly, savoring the flavor and not simultaneously watching a screen, walking around the kitchen or driving a car. Mindful eating apps can be a helpful resource in our quest for healthier eating habits, without putting all of the focus on calories consumed and burned. Let’s take a look at two that are currently available. Ate: This app is visual, easy to use and fast. You can set your own specific eating goals, such as “eat healthier,” and the app will select specific steps to take toward your goal from a variety of behavior-based recommendations. The basic plan is free and this app is ideal for those who prefer accountability that comes with keeping a food record or counting calories. Am I Hungry?: This app puts you in charge of your eating decisions without having to rely on restrictions and rules. It includes a hunger-fullness rating scale that lists strategies to help you understand why you might reach for foods without feeling hungry. With this knowledge, you can determine how to address the feeling, if necessary, with something other than food. For instance, perhaps you are thinking of eating food because you feel stressed. Here are some additional tips to help you become a mindful eater: It all begins with your grocery list. Plan meals and then make a list. Do not stray from the list and do not go to the store hungry. Chew slowly and pay attention to the food, portion, flavor and smell of what you are eating. Put utensils down between bites and engage in conversation, if possible. Eat at a designated place, preferably the kitchen table with no distractions. Do not eat on the run, in the car, standing or while simultaneously doing another activity. Pay attention to your fullness and hunger cues. Sometimes we think we are hungry when we are thirsty, or perhaps you want a break from your workspace, so eating is an excuse to pause. However, ask yourself if you are actually hungry. It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain you are full, so resist pushing away from the table full. Keep a food journal and note what you eat, how much and your level of hunger on a scale of one to 10. It is also important to not allow yourself to get famished, which can lead to accelerated eating and over consumption. Mindful eating takes a little bit of practice, but it’s not impossible. Over time, the more you do it, the easier it’ll become and the more health benefits you will gain. It’s a way of helping you appreciate food rather that restricting it. So go ahead, reduce the distractions in your surroundings and go savor each flavorful bite. Happy mindful eating! Authors Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford are nutritionists and registered dietitians at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them, call 443-481-5555.0
- GivingGeneral Page Tier 3BlogCoffee with Clinicians, hosted by the AAMC Foundation, spotlights the work that is happening throughout Anne Arundel Medical Center. This unique opportunity invites community members to talk directly with AAMC medical providers and leaders about the state of healthcare and about AAMC’s future. These moderated discussions give people a chance to ask questions and interact one-on-one with the providers. Discussions take place in the intimate setting of the Doordan Institute on AAMC’s medical park campus. Coffee with Clinicians, held on Oct. 4, 2016, featured pediatrics and pediatric mental health, which is an immediate crisis in Anne Arundel County. Michael Clemmens, MD, AAMC medical director of pediatrics; Melissa Wellner, MD, AAMC child and adolescent psychiatrist; and Susan Emerson, pediatric CRNP, presented on how AAMC is responding to the crisis. In the last year, we have seen a 13 percent increase in youth under 18 seeking help for mental health issues and illnesses. Community members asked the panel of medical providers about how they could help respond to this crisis. The team answered with this advice: “Work with us to remove the stigma of mental health,” Dr. Clemmens said. “The more we can do that, the better for everyone. Join a committee, support the programs and beat the drum.” For more information about Coffee with Clinicians and how to support these care programs, please contact Gabby Pasternak at 443-481-4735.0
- Stroke CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAAMC’s Power of 2 Peer Mentorship Program matches recent stroke survivors with mentors who have also survived a stroke. After completing a training program, mentors work with recent stroke survivors. Mentors give survivors an opportunity to ask questions, discuss challenges and confront emotions. They offer encouragement, hope and understanding. To learn more, call 443-481-4585.0
- Wellness, Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt’s holiday time again, and the days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s can be filled with temptation. From office parties to family celebrations, the holidays are times of sharing food and entertaining. You can keep your holiday party traditions on track without sacrificing taste. Here are some tips to help enjoy the season and stay healthy. Plan ahead. Try not to arrive at the party hungry. You are less tempted to over-indulge if you eat a light snack before getting there. Eat structured meals. Skipping meals leads to overeating later or snacking on bits and pieces of high calorie foods that have more calories than the meal yet leave you hungry. Budget wisely. Don’t eat everything at the feast. Prioritize favorites and spend calories on the foods you love. Be careful with beverages. Limit alcohol since it is high in calories and can stimulate your appetite. Always consume alcohol with food, and avoid sweet wines and liqueurs. Try club soda, sparkling water or water with a slice of fruit. Make room for fruits and vegetables. Adding fruits and vegetables into your eating routine provides you essential nutrients to keep you healthy and fiber to help you feel full. Plus, these foods are low in calories. Distance yourself from the food table. You’re more likely to overeat if you are next to the food. Remember you are at the event to socialize first. Once you see all the goodies, it is difficult to resist. Make recipe adjustments. Reduce the fat in your favorite holiday recipes and offer to bring one to the holiday party. Your food will have less calories and fat, yet have the same great taste and texture. Use the lower-fat versions of sour cream or cream cheese, or substitute with yogurt or evaporated milk. Substitute whole milk with almond or coconut milk, which still have similar consistencies to whole milk. Following these tips can help you navigate the parties, but what if you end up overeating? Remember, tomorrow is a new day and get back on track without calling yourself “bad.” Food should never define us as people. Also, no one gains 20 pounds overnight. Weight gain occurs from a steady accumulation of overeating. If you eat too much today, eat a little less tomorrow. Exercise also helps relieve holiday stress and prevent weight gain. A moderate and daily increase in exercise can help partially offset increased holiday eating. Although food is an integral part of the holidays, put the focus on family and friends, laughter and cheer. If balance and moderation are your usual guides, it’s okay to indulge once in a while. Remember a holiday feast is one day, the season lasts all month. Happy holidays!0
- SpecialtyEvery parent wants their child to be happy and healthy. When your child is sick or injured, we provide the specialized, age-appropriate care they need. We offer skilled pediatrics teams in both pediatric emergency and pediatric inpatient care. Surgeons from both Children's National Medical Center and Johns Hopkins University are providers within our community. This allows us to offer your child the care they would receive in a children's hospital, close to home. Our units are child and family friendly, with special staff devoted to making the experience easier., Why Choose Luminis Health Our pediatric experts help provide a unique experience throughout your child's visit, including: Nurse navigators: We're your family's personal point of contact during *your child's visit to the ER or if your child is admitted. We coordinate your child's care in the hospital and connect you with outpatient support as needed. We also answer all your questions about your child's diagnosis and treatment. Nurse navigators can provide emotional support and the educational resources you need. Certified child life specialist*: With backgrounds in psychology and child development, these experts help kids to feel more secure in an unfamiliar environment. We use age-appropriate language and medical materials to help your child understand what to expect with their treatment and recovery. We also use therapeutic play to help your child cope with the stress, fear, and confusion that can occur during a hospital experience. * These are services typically found at specialized pediatric hospitals, but we offer them for your family here, close to home. Pediatric donation props View the list of donation props0
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