By Jean Hanks, MS, RDN, CDN The holiday season is upon us, and in addition to all the normal stressors that come with this time of year, we also have a global pandemic to think about. But no matter what your holiday festivities look like this year, one thing that is likely to be unchanged is the anxiety and dread…
Covid PCR (polymerase chain reaction tests) tests utilize a swab (typically in the nose or throat) or collect a saliva sample, and send a sample to a laboratory to get tested. Since PCR tests collect some genetic material, they are quite accurate when performed by a healthcare professional. There is a version of the PCR test that is analyzed on…
By Jean Hanks, MS, RDN, CDN During this unprecedented time, many of us are feeling stressed, anxious and fearful of what the future holds. It can be easy to pick up unhealthy habits, particularly when it comes to eating. Studies have shown that stress (and with it fear, depression and anger) can lead us to seek comfort from foods that…
Cocaine, Heroin, Alcohol, Nicotine and Methamphetamine are the most addictive drugs. But, an individual’s addiction depends on a variety of factors. Some people think that access to a drug is the primary factor in how addictive it will become. In reality, access to addictive drugs opens the door to addiction, but addiction is really a disease of the brain circuitry…
Sugar seems like it’s in everything. But how addictive is sugar? Is it always bad for you? What does it do to your body?
Because the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, when a person gets the flu and develops fever and cough, it will be impossible to tell before testing: is this flu or is this COVID-19? Every fall we recommend that all New Yorkers get the flu shot, but this fall it is even more essential as it will prevent you from needing to…