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3 New Year’s Resolutions That Will Change Your Child’s Life

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Make improvements in your lifestyle that will ultimately benefit your children.

While January is a time to make resolutions, most of us make them about ourselves, whether it’s to lose weight, save money or learn a new hobby. Whether or not we like to admit it, our children pick up on this. We teach them it’s okay to go on crazy diets to look better and to buy books to only watch TV instead. This year, propose to resolve to teach your children to focus on things that really matter.

Unplug

Technology is amazing and incredibly useful, but it disconnects families regularly. Parents rely on technology and kids are attracted to technology. If we don’t control our usage, it quickly takes over our lives. Make it a conscious decision to unplug more often in 2018. Don’t allow cell phones at the table or during family time and spend some quality time outside or doing activities instead of watching TV.

Slow Down

Today’s children are over-scheduled. Kids as young as 7 are running from activity to activity, barely stopping to eat. From the multiple sports teams to countless clubs, it’s no surprise that kids can be tired and stressed. As a parent, learn to slow down and give yourself (and your child) a break. Make a resolution to take it a little easier this year.

Be Proud

If speaking kind words to plants makes them grow better, imagine what it could do to children? Ensure that you give your kids praise for a good job well done or for recognizing something isn’t right. Often all kids want is some recognition and a pat on the back, rather than trophies and certificates.

If your child gets injured or ill out in the cold, take him or her to Sand Canyon Urgent Care. With facilities in Irvine and Stanton, we can help treat your child quickly. We welcome walk-ins and have an expert team of medical professionals ready to help you.

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Do High-Protein Diets Help with Weight Loss?

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Can Eating a High-Protein Diet Help You Lose Weight? 

We all know that high-protein diets for weight loss have been trendy for years. Perhaps that’s why many are concerned about the amount of protein they’re consuming, and why we eat high-protein foods and sprinkle protein powder onto oatmeal and smoothies. But, does it help us to truly lose weight? Does the weight come back once we’re off the diet? To answer these questions, let’s take a look into the high-protein diet trend.

The DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, or 0.36 grams per pound. The averages out to 56 grams for men each day and 46 grams for women. Protein sources tend to be high calorie, which means that counting calories doesn’t tend to work on a high-protein diet.

The basis of a high-protein diet is that the calories from the protein source will help to keep you fuller for longer, thereby preventing cravings later on in the day. This may be due to increased thermogenesis, which triggers the ‘full’ feeling that you have after consuming higher amounts of protein. By replacing carbohydrates and fat with protein, you help to delay the hunger hormone and boost several satiety hormones. This means that you end up consuming less food and fewer additional calories.

However, upping protein intake alone won’t help you lose weight. Choosing healthy sources of protein such as tofu, beans, and lentils is key. Studies found that eating large amounts of animal protein is linked to weight gain. In fact, red meat and processed meat are linked to an increased risk of cancer as well as heart disease. There is a large misconception that vegetarian and vegan diets are devoid of protein, however, this certainly isn’t the case. All protein is made by plants, meaning that if one was to consume the recommended amount of calories from a plant-based diet, he or she would still receive plenty of protein without supplementing.

It is worth noting that there are potential health risks when following a high-protein diet, including kidney problems and loss of bone mass. If you are following a high-protein diet that is low in carbohydrates, your body may go into ketosis, where ketones build up in your bloodstream and your body breaks down stored fat as energy. This puts added strain on your kidneys and could even worsen function.  For those with pre-existing kidney issues and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before changing your diet.

Taking care of your health and wellbeing is essential. For minor to moderate injuries and medical issues, visit Sand Canyon Urgent Care. If a higher level of care is needed, our triage staff and/or providers will direct patients to the appropriate specialist or to an emergency room for further treatment. Call us today for more information!