Just because a food item has the word "salad" in it doesn't mean it's healthy for you. A high percentage of restaurants and grocer's prepare salads with numerous add-ons such as cheese and meaty forms of protein which can inject you with up to 900mg of sodium. And that's without salad dressing!

Potato chips like the Lays brand advertises, you just can't have one and overdosing on All Dressed or Sour Cream & Onion chips can result in high fat intakes and over 300mg of sodium despite signs that point to 0 trans fats.

Ice cream is fat based, opt for its healthier cousin frozen yogurt. One traditional serving of ice cream can produce a double whammy of 25g of sugar and fat and if you do seconds, you can consume more than a third of the calories you're supposed to take in on a daily basis.

Chicken wings should come with medical contracts on their actual chicken wings rather than their heat-soaked sauces because their irresistable taste usually comes with 30g of fat and sodium levels that provide more than your daily limit for salt.

Muffins are often used as a meal replacement for those with a busy lifestyle and they definitely have their benefits if they're the right type of muffin. Some varieties usually contain 25g of fat and depending on their ingredients, can provide one-third of your daily caloric requirements.

Onion rings is an unhealthy appetizer that can deliver almost a day's worth of fat depending on how it's prepared and how much grease is hiding its battered coating.

Fruit juice cocktails is most varieties taste amazing and but an 8-ounce glass can contain up to 40g of sugar which is more than your average can of soda.

Out of all the snacks that live on your grocer's shelves, popcorn is one of the healthiest options but on a diet plan, it can be the complete opposite. Its kicker is fats which if you don't look at the label closely, can amount up to 60g of the saturated fats.

Vitamin Water has been a popular substitute when it comes to fitness but it should not be treated as regular water. Each bottle contains 33 grams of sugar in its 2.5 servings which is only 6 grams less than a can of Coca-Cola.

They're designed to transfer protein to boost your metabolism and performance levels but most protein bars, especially those of the PowerBar variety, lack fiber and substitute that with three-fourths of your daily limit for added sugar. Now you know where the acceptable taste comes from!

While Fat-Free Salad Dressing gives you the benefit of using dressing on your mixed green combinations, most brands have 8 grams of sugar in just two tablespoons. In simple terms, that equals more than a dozen jellybeans.

Macaroni & Cheese may have found its way into the hearts of kids and teenagers everywhere but for bodies that aren't growing anymore, it's an unwelcome addition to a diet plan. One large serving/order can provide up to half the calories you need in a day and more fat than a growing adult requires in 24 hours.

On the occasion of International Women's Day (March 8), women in the UAE are being encouraged to screen for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Although only one to two percent of the global and regional populations are affected by the condition, women are un proportionately susceptible with both incidence and prevalence two to three times greater in women than men, according to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.

"It's very important to increase awareness of Rheumatoid Arthritis so women can get the right treatment early. Patients often ignore their symptoms, think there is no treatment or see an orthopedic surgeon who may treat them differently. Due to this lack of awareness in the UAE a correct diagnosis may take up to 14 months, by which time active disease levels can be very high and permanent joint damage may have set in," said Dr. Humeira Badsha, Consultant Rheumatologist.

According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, 80% to 85% of patients suffer from joint damage, mostly in the first two years. RA patients are also twice as likely to die compared with unaffected people the same age.

Symptoms typically develop over weeks to months and can include stiffness in one or more joints, usually accompanied by pain upon movement and joint tenderness. The joints most frequently involved are in the hands, wrists and small joints of the feet. Other symptoms that may precede RA onset include fatigue, malaise and depression. These symptoms may be exacerbated by the UAE's hot and humid climate, which can make joints swell even more.

Women are also encouraged to test for RA because the risk of developing other conditions is higher than average for people with RA. "Patients with RA are more prone to Cardiovascular Diseases due to the inflammatory response in the body," said Dr. Badsha. Approximately one-third to half of all RA-related mortalities result from CVD, according to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.

Cardiovascular diseases are wide-ranging and encompass disorders of the heart, arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels. These can include conditions such as angina, heart attack and stroke.

Patients may be at further risk due to the hot climate and air conditioned environments in the UAE which can encourage an inactive indoor lifestyle. Obesity is a risk factor for both RA and CVD, as every extra kilo above normal weight will increase joint stress by five times," said Dr. Badsha.

Should the patient be found to be living with multiple conditions, it is critical that the Rheumatologist and other doctors involved know so they can help patients manage their lifestyle and coordinate treatments," said Dr. Badsha.

Don't put that cup down if you are a coffee or a green tea drinker. A new study concluded those beverages may lower your stroke risk if they're a regular part of your daily diet.

Dr. Yoshihiro Kokubo, chief doctor in the department of preventive cardiology at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center in Osaka, Japan, said in a press release. "This is the first large-scale study to examine the combined effects of both green tea and coffee on stroke risks."

The study published on Mar. 14 in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, examined 83,269 Japanese adults between the ages of 45 to 74. They were questioned about their green tea and coffee drinking habits, and researchers looked at their rates of heart disease, strokes and causes of death for 13 years.

Age, sex and lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol, weight, diet and exercise were factored into the results.

Researchers discovered that people who drank at least one cup of coffee a day lowered their stroke risk by about 20 percent compared to those who drank it rarely.

They lowered the chance of having a type of stroke that occurs when a blood vessel bursts and bleeds inside the brain (Intracerebral hemorrhage) which accounts for 13 percent of strokes.

-cbsnews.com

Ambulatory Healthcare Services (AHS), a part of the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), concluded its participation at the Health and Fitness Fun Day on a successful note, drawing the participation of more than 4,000 individuals, families and students in the community-related activities at its stand.

Held on March 3-4 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) and organized by Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET), the exhibition aimed to raise awareness on the benefits of healthy living through maintaining an active regime and informed dietary habits.

Through its Mobile Clinic Solution at its stand, AHS conducted general screening of height, weight, blood sugar, blood pressure and dental checks. Under the 'Health Booth', visitors and especially children were offered tips on how to adopt a healthy and holistic lifestyle. Demonstration on the right technique for brushing teeth, and determining the sugar and fat contents in popular snacks attracted visitors of all ages. In addition, children took part in activity tables highlighting recommended contents for a healthy lunchbox and platter.

The importance of sports was also highlighted in the sports section featuring a wide variety of sport options for children. Mafraq Hospital participated in the event demonstrating appropriate hand hygiene using a special ultraviolet device that indicates the areas children have missed during washing their hands. To ensure that children carry the healthy messages home with them, each child received a token gift reinforcing the healthy message, after visiting each booth.

In addition, and as a reward for children who visited the booths, children were given the choice to watch a short film featuring the AHS mascot 'Salem' in "Salem Cinema" while munching on a healthy pop-corn and sipping water from the Salem branded water-bottles or dress up in their favorite sport/medical costume and getting their photos taken and printed by a member of the Tawam Hospital team.

Rashid Saif Al Qubaisi, Chief Executive Officer, AHS, said: "It has been two days of fun-filled activities that helped us connect with the wider community in Abu Dhabi. The exhibition allowed us to showcase our world-class healthcare services and raise awareness on medical issues among a wide cross-section of community members.

"As we believe it is equally important to create awareness at the grassroots level, we targeted school students and attracted more than 4,000 visitors to our stand. We do hope our interactive initiatives help inculcate the young ones with hygienic habits and eventually help shape a healthy generation."

AHS also participated through song and dance routines as well as skits on issues such as obesity, diabetes, and thalassemia. The entertaining acts were staged by children from the Aloula, Ajnadeen and Al Afaq schools. School Health Service, a department of AHS, presented a workshop titled 'Say no to emotional abuse'. The workshop tackled the topic of bullying and ragging in schools and encouraged students to immediately report instances of such behavior to teachers and supervisors.

Wish you could be one of these people who never get sick? Try one or—even better—all of these secrets to resist this flu season.

Most studies show that massage can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate—and lowering these is likely to cause your stress level to drop, one key to building immunity.

Any type of rubdown is fine, as long as you ask for moderate pressure. The therapist's touch should be vigorous enough to move or indent skin but not so hard that it causes pain.

How often do you need one? There's no science on that, but experts say once a month (or more) is worthwhile. Check with your insurance provider to see if it's covered or check out massage schools with discounted services.

Devotees claim cold showers help with low energy, migraines, circulation, and pain reduction. The scientific jury's still out on cold showers, but Mary Ann Bauman, MD, author of Fight Fatigue: Six Simple Steps to Maximize Your Energy, says there's no harm in trying.

Try small doses. Although a 10-minute cold shower might be tolerable in the summertime, in the winter you may want to opt for a 1-minute blast at the end of a warm shower. Consult your doctor if you have cardiovascular problems, because the sudden chill can cause a spike in blood pressure.

For centuries, ginger has been the go-to root for a wide range of gastrointestinal distresses, including constipation. Researchers believe its compounds stimulate digestive secretions, improve intestinal muscle tone, and help move food through the gastrointestinal tract.

Fresh ginger—sipped in tea or eaten straight-up—is best, says Sari Greaves, RD, of New York Presbyterian Hospital–Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City. But ginger in other forms (dried, powdered, cooked) can be effective too.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hand-washing is the number-one action you can take to dodge the 1 billion colds Americans come down with annually (not to mention the bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella, that cause foodborne illnesses).

Wash with regular soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice). Vigorously scrub all parts of your hands, not just palms, and check your fingernails for trapped dirt. Dry with paper towels, or designate a cloth hand towel for each member of your household.

Although vitamin C and zinc for cold prevention remain controversial, some studies show that C is helpful —especially for people who are under extreme stress—and that zinc can prevent viruses from multiplying. Experts say there's no harm in trying.

The Institute of Medicine advises drawing the line at 2,000 mg daily to avoid gastrointestinal or kidney problems. As for zinc, take zinc lozenges several times a day when a cold starts.

Garlic is rich in antioxidants that boost immunity and fight inflammation against everyday illness, probably helps to stave off cancer and boost heart health.

If you're worried about bad breath and yucky burps, you're not alone. Happily, there are options with fewer side effects.

There is so much misinformation out there about food and how it affects human health, making healthy food choices for you and your family can be difficult and confusing. There are a number of specific foods; however, that you will want to avoid in almost every circumstance because they provide virtually no health benefits while posing plenty of health risks. Here are nine foods you should never eat again if you care about preserving your long-term health:

White bread: refined flours. By definition, white bread and refined flours in general are toxic for your body because they have been stripped of virtually all vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other important nutrients. Because of this, the body does not know how to properly digest and assimilate these so-called foods, which can lead to health problems. Refined white flour has also been bleached with chlorine and brominated with bromide, two poisonous chemicals that have been linked to causing thyroid and organ damage.

Conventional frozen meals. Most conventionally-prepared frozen meals are loaded with preservatives, processed salt, hydrogenated oils and other artificial ingredients, not to mention the fact that most frozen meals have been heavily pre-cooked, rendering their nutrient content minimal at best (especially after getting microwaved again at home). With the exception of a few truly healthy frozen meal brands such as Amy's and Organic Bistro, most frozen meals are little more than disease in a box, so avoid them in favor of fresh foods.

White rice: Like white bread, white rice has been stripped of most of its nutrients, and separated from the bran and germ, two natural components that make up rice in its brown form. Even so-called "fortified" white rice is nutritionally deficient, as the body still processes this refined food much differently than brown rice, which is absorbed more slowly and does not cause the same spike in blood sugar that white rice does.

Microwaveable popcorn:This processed food is a favorite among moviegoers and regular snackers alike, but it is one of the unhealthiest foods you can eat. Practically every component of microwaveable popcorn, from the genetically-modified (GM) corn kernels to the processed salt and preservative chemicals used to enhance its flavor, is unhealthy and disease-promoting. On top of this, microwaveable popcorn contains a chemical known as diacetyl that can actually destroy your lungs. If you love popcorn, stick with organic kernels that you can pop yourself in a kettle and douse with healthy ingredients like coconut oil, grass-fed butter, and Himalayan pink salt.

Cured meat products with nitrates, nitrites: Deli meats, summer sausage, hot dogs, bacon, and many other meats sold at the grocery store are often loaded with sodium nitrite and other chemical preservatives that have been linked to causing heart disease and cancer. If you eat meat, stick with uncured, nitrite and nitrate-free varieties, and preferably those that come from organic, grass-fed animals.

Most conventional protein, energy bars: By the way they are often marketed, it might seem as though protein and energy bars are a strong addition to a healthy diet. But more often than not, these meal replacements contain processed soy protein, refined sugar, hydrogenated fat, and other harmful additives that contribute to chronic illness. Not all protein and energy bars are bad, of course — Thunderbird Energetica, Organic Food Bar, Boku Superfood, Vega Sport, PROBAR, and Zing all make healthy protein and energy bars. Just be sure to read the ingredient labels and know what you are buying.

Margarine: Hidden in all sorts of processed foods, margarine, a hydrogenated trans-fat oil, is something you will want to avoid at all costs for your health. Contrary to popular belief, butter and saturated fats in general are not unhealthy, especially when they are derived from pastured animals that feed on grass rather than corn and soy. And if animal-based fats are not for you, stick with extra-virgin coconut oil or olive oil rather than margarine.

Soy milk and soy-based meat substitutes: One of the biggest health frauds of modern times, the soy craze is a fad that you will want to skip. Besides the fact that nearly all non-organic soy ingredients are of GM origin, most soy additives are processed using a toxic chemical known as hexane, which is linked to causing birth defects, reproductive problems, and cancer. Soy that has not been fermented is also highly estrogenic, which can throw your natural hormone balance out of whack.

 "Diet" anything: Many so-called "diet" products on the market today contains artificial sweeteners like aspartame (Equal) and sucralose (Splenda), both of which are linked to causing neurological damage, gastrointestinal problems, and endocrine disruption. Many diet products also contain added chemical flavoring agents to take the place of fat and other natural components that have been removed to artificially reduce calorie content. Instead, stick with whole foods that are as close to nature as possible, including high-fat foods grown the way nature intended, and your body will respond surprisingly well.

-healthnews

Why would parents who would never allow cigarettes or alcohol make caffeine-spiked beverages available to pre-teens? They are available and kids are drinking them after school.

Over the last 30 years, caffeine intake among children and adolescents has spiked 70%; today two-thirds of children consume caffeine on a daily basis. They get it in soda and energy drinks, of course, but also in a surprising range of stealth products marketed to kids, including candy, chips, gum, lip balm, even sunflower seeds.

How much of this substance are our kids getting? In a recent survey called Caffeine Consumption in Young Children, Dr. William Warzak and colleagues from the University of Nebraska Medical Center found that kids as young as 5 drink the caffeine-equivalent of a can of cola a day, while kids 8 to 12 consumed 109 mg of caffeine a day, the amount in nearly three 12-ounce cans of soda! Caffeine consumption among kids is a looming public health crisis.

One of the reasons parents aren't up in arms about this trend is that caffeine has gotten so much good press lately. Studies suggest it boosts weight loss and can enhance memory and focus. Coffee and tea are also rich in antioxidants, with possible anti-cancer and cardio-protective properties.

But that's in adults although caffeine may contribute also to cardiac problems, addiction, obesity, insomnia, and digestive disorders.

For children, the risks and benefits of caffeine look very different. Here's what parents need to know about caffeine and it's effects on kids' health:

• Caffeine has no nutritional or other food value. It is a psychoactive stimulant that affects brain chemistry. It can disrupt neural development and may lead to abnormalities in behavior and socialization.

• Caffeine can cause physical dependence. If your kid is hooked and tries to kick the habit, he or she may experience full-blown withdrawal symptoms for up to 10 days, including headache, sleepiness or insomnia, irritability, lethargy, constipation, and/or depression.

• Caffeine products are often loaded with sugar. Caffeine naturally tastes bitter and sugar is added to make it palatable to your kids. Not only is sugar a source of empty calories that can lead to overweight and obesity, the combination can trigger addiction and/or dependence through different pathways.

• Caffeine does not boost energy levels in kids. It impedes the perception of fatigue by stimulating brain arousal and vigilance, which can lead to unruly or even dangerous behaviors.

• There is no safe or recommended level of caffeine for kids. In fact, caffeinated energy drinks should eliminated from children's diets, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

• Caffeine can trigger insomnia. Kids drink caffeinated products like energy drinks thinking they will 'boost energy and performance' at school and on the athletic field. Truth is, caffeine worsens performance due to fatigue! In one study, 90% of middle and high school students sampled reported getting less than 8 hours of sleep on average each night, with caffeine consumption being the number one culprit.

• Caffeine consumption can cause hospitalizations or even death. The number of annual hospital visits involving caffeinated sports and energy drinks doubled from 2007 to 2011. The federal Food and Drug Administration is investigating 13 deaths tied to 5-Hour Energy Drink and five deaths linked to Monster Energy Drinks.

• Caffeinated products are marketed as "cool." Advertising campaigns use cartoon characters and/or the portrayal of an energized and successful kid to push their products. (This is similar to the way the tobacco industry targeted kids until cigarette ads aimed at kids were banned.)

So how much caffeine is acceptable for our kids? To date there is little or no regulation or official guidelines as to the use of caffeine in drinks and foods. Consumption of less than 100mg a day (the equivalent of three colas) is likely safe, depending on the size and weight of your child. Higher levels could be associated with adverse effects, especially in younger, smaller children. For older, larger adolescents consumption of 150 to 250mg is likely medically safe. (Amounts consumed in cases of cardiac arrhythmia and death approached 1000mg; in these cases the caffeine probably unmasked underlying heart problems, rather than being the cause.)

This health alert was issued by Dr.Jonathan Whiteson, MD, is an assistant professor and director of cardiopulmonary rehab at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York. He advises to moderate the caffeine consumption of your kids, if not eliminate it from their daily diets completely and to Read labels like a hawk (and if "caffeine" is on the ingredient list put it back). Your kids will be better off.

A baby girl born with part of her heart outside her chest has been released from the hospital.

Baby Audrina spent three months in Texas Children's Hospital after doctors performed lifesaving surgery, posted kvue.com.

She now has a specially-made pink heart protector. This shield is to protect her heart that you can still see beating outside of her body. Audrina will have to wear it until doctors can perform reconstructive surgery, likely using some of her own rib bone, to form protection where her sternum should be.

Her mother says even though Audrina has a tough road ahead, she's already overcome so much.

"I'm very excited, very anxious, nervous all at once that we're able to go home," said Audrina's mom, Ashley Cardenas. "But it's a very, very big step. It's been a blessing to say that we're finally going home after three and a half months."

The Cardenas family is from Midland.

Mom says they will continue to live in Houston as Audrina recovers, but hopes to reunite with the rest of their family soon.

Who knew! Smartphone apps now promise to measure heart rates, display X-ray images and detect skin cancer! They also are prompting concerns about how well they work and whether consumers may rely on their smartphones and skip seeing a doctor.

A study co-written by dermatologist Laura Ferris, shown using a dermascope to check a patient's mole, found big discrepancies in accuracy among four unnamed apps that are meant to detect skin cancer, wsj.com.

Smartphone apps are stepping into the realm of doctors and medical-device makers, promising to measure heart rates, display X-ray images and detect skin cancer. But how effective will they be?

The study used the four unidentified apps to analyze images of 188 moles already been evaluated by a dermatologist. The app with the best results relied on doctors, forwarding images to board-certified dermatologists for review at a cost of $5 per mole.

Adopting mobile health technology is growing rapidly with app makers as it is becoming more sophisticated and gaining more financial backing.

Health-app makers include disclaimers warning patients that they don't mean to diagnose anything but rather saying, this is a way you can look to determine whether you might have a problem!

Some FDA-approved apps that measure heart rhythms and allow doctors to review medical images and track health conditions.

The study's top performer charges $4.99 per mole examined and sends mole pictures to board-certified dermatologists.

An app that connects patients with dermatologists who review the images online for $70, said that with a high-quality photograph, he and other dermatologists would feel "pretty confident" in making a diagnosis.

Feeling sleep deprived and yawning at your desk? Follow these tips on how to transform your body into a fatigue-fighting machine.

Yawn away

"Yawning is your body's way of cooling down the brain, essentially waking it up," explains Andrew Gallup, PhD, a research associate at Princeton University.

Get moving

Two hours.

That's how long you'll feel revved up after taking just a 10-minute walk, according to a study in Personality and Social Psychology.

Go to YouTube

It's official: We give you permission to watch that dancing hamster video at work. A good laugh raises your blood pressure and boosts heart rate, too, which can pump you up when you're feeling sluggish, says Robert R. Provine, PhD, author of Laughter.

See some red

Spotting something scarlet can actually kick you into high gear. Seeing the fiery color makes your muscles move faster and work harder, giving you a burst of energy when you need it most, according to University of Rochester research.

Keep crimson flowers in your sight line to pep up a jam-packed day.

Sprinkle these

Not into espresso shots? Get your energy from chia seeds. They're packed with a revitalizing combo of B vitamins, fiber, and protein, so they pick you up without making you jittery.

You can simply stir them into your yogurt.

Stretch it out

Dragging? Try this invigorating stretch: Stand in a doorway, facing forward with feet several inches apart, and reach to the sides of the frame. Grab the frame with your fingers, then push your chest forward until you feel a stretch in your torso and back; hold for 30 seconds.

"This stretch stimulates the sympathetic nervous system," explains Timothy McCall, MD, a yoga instructor in Oakland, California, "so it's energizing for the body and mind."

Exercise

Fifty-eight percent of women feel most energized after they've had a workout, according to a Health.com poll.

Eat nutritiously

Studies show omega-3 fatty acids improve mood and brain function, essential for avoiding a midday slump.