News

Actions

Ask Dr. Nandi: How to avoid your Memorial Day pitfalls

Posted at 5:46 PM, May 24, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-24 17:46:26-04

(WXYZ) — I’m sure many of you are excited about the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. However there are some potential pitfalls we’d like you to to be aware of while enjoying your weekend festivities.

The forecast is calling for some overcast skies, how important is sun protection?

Sun protection is very important. Most of us naturally equate sunburn and damage with sunlight and heat. But it’s the UV rays we need to worry about as these are actually radiation. UV rays come through anytime it’s daylight, even if the skies are cloudy. So I suggest you apply a sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30 or higher even on overcast days. You can also cover up your exposed skin with lightweight clothing. Also, don’t forget to protect your eyes. Wear 100 percent UV protection sunglasses, even when it’s cloudy, along with a wide-brimmed hat.

Memorial Day is a big day to break out the grill, what should we keep in mind when it comes to food safety?

One of the most important things to keep in mind is how long you’re letting your meat, poultry and seafood sit out. Don’t take them out of the fridge until you’re ready to throw them on the grill. And leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking - make that one hour if it’s over 90 degrees outside. Also, please be aware that over 62,000 pounds of raw beef has been recalled due to E. coli concerns. So do check to see if you’ve picked up some, look for "EST. 788" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

All good advice. But how about our diets? How do we keep from piling on the pounds with all the big eating that’s bound to happen?

There are a few simple options you can do to keep things under control. Try adding some fresh fruit and veggie options to the cookout. Grill up some veggie kabobs to get things started, make the burgers a bit smaller and keep portions moderate. And finally, movement is super important to health, so use your time off to do some fun activities like biking, hiking or playing ball with your kids.

Is your belly making you blue? Join Dr. Partha Nandi, MD and guest Gabby D'Auria who shares how poor gut health didn't just lead to indigestion, but depression too. And, you’ll hear from a Nutritional Biochemist who explains what exactly is going on in your gut and ways to improve your stomach and your mood! Tune in this Saturday, May 25that 1 pm.