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Nutrition & Health

Learn more about eating well and staying healthy during your cancer treatment. For additional information and resources, we encourage you to sign up for our AWARE newsletter.

How to Wear A Mask

As the Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center continues to follow Governor Lamont's executive order for  wearing masks in public places in the state of Connecticut, we wanted to share some guidelines for wearing a mask that we have adapted from our caregiver protocols.

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Posted 8/7/2020

Are Specialty Waters Worth the Price?

Americans spent $31 billion on bottled water in 2018, with the average American consuming 42 gallons. In fact, bottled water has become the country’s number one beverage, according to Consumer Reports. Most people think that bottled water is safer or healthier than tap (or municipal) water, but 64% of all bottled water sold in the United States is just filtered tap water.

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by Karen Sabbath, MS, RD, CSO  | 

Fighting Fatigue with Food

Wiped out. Pooped. Exhausted. Zero energy. I cannot move without some caffeine. Chances are you have experienced at least one of these feelings. Perhaps you have been burning the candle at both ends, or maybe you haven’t been getting enough sleep. A great nap or eight hours of sleep can often resolve the problem, but if it doesn’t, maybe you are experiencing fatigue.

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by Karen Sabbath, MS, RD, CSO  | 

Tips for Protecting Your Skin This Summer

Warm weather is a great opportunity to get outside. Being in nature has a number of health benefits, including fighting depression and anxiety, reducing stress, improving mood, lowering blood pressure, and reducing cancer risk, but while you’re enjoying the outdoors, don’t forget to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays.

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Posted 4/30/2019

The Spices of Life

If you want to turn a recipe from bland and boring, to interesting and complex, try adding herbs and spices. Imagine apple pie without cinnamon, or tomato sauce without basil, oregano, garlic and pepper. It turns out that herbs and spices not only enhance the flavor of food, but they also add significant health benefits.

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by Karen Sabbath, MS, RD, CSO  | 

Giving Your Immune System a Boost: Is it Possible?

There are more than 1000 supplements currently available in stores and online that claim to boost one’s immunity. Their claims to fend off infection, help you bounce back from injuries, reduce the likelihood of cancer and other diseases, and prevent damage from environmental pollutants are just a few of the purported benefits. Who wouldn’t want to swallow them by the fistful? But do they work?

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by Karen Sabbath, MS, RD, CSO  |    |  Comments 

Protecting Yourself Against Skin Cancer

Summer is on its way, which means more time spent outdoors. While getting fresh air and exercise is a great way to improve and maintain your health, there’s one thing about the summer sun that isn’t so positive: skin cancer.

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Posted 5/2/2018

Dilemma: Eating Healthy Dinners When You Don't Have Time

It takes too long. I don’t have time. Too much chopping. Everyone eats at a different time. I don’t have the right ingredients.   These are just a few of the comments people make when asked about making homemade healthy meals.

According to a study reported in Business News Daily, Americans spend 23 hours a week emailing, texting, and using social media. Imagine how well you could eat if you used some of that time to prepare healthy food, or maybe even get in a walk! With a small amount of planning, food that is prepared at home can be delicious, easy to make, and healthier than fast food or take-out. Let’s get started!

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by Karen Sabbath, MS, RD, CSO  | 

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet: Hype or Hope?

We've all seen and heard the ads: "Headache? Toothache? Joint pain? Muscle soreness? Take an anti-inflammatory." Products like aspirin, steroids, ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil, for example) and other NSAIDS, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are used by many to help manage the pain caused by inflammation. But what if there were foods that could also help to reduce inflammation? Would you be game to try them?

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by Karen Sabbath, MS, RD, CSO  |