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If you wear braces, there's nothing to be afraid of: Halloween can still be a sweet experience. Celebrity chef and author Michael Chiarello, of Food Network's Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello and Fine Living Network's NapaStyle, has teamed up with the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) to provide braces-friendly Halloween recipes for the more than five million children and adults in North America who currently wear braces.

Halloween tends to be one of the busiest times of the year at orthodontists' offices, primarily because patients eat treats that they should not be eating. Candies and other treats that are hard, chewy, sticky or crunchy can cause damage to orthodontic patients' braces. Broken braces can be uncomfortable for the patient and may even prolong treatment. As part of October's National Orthodontic Health Month, Chiarello and the AAO are providing braces-friendly Halloween recipes and tips to help orthodontic patients and parents enjoy the holiday.

"My family and I love to create special meals together, but when my daughter recently got braces, we had to modify some of our favorite recipes," says Chiarello. The braces-friendly recipes we've come up with – like Green Goo Slimedoo and Black and Orange Bon Bons – allow my daughter to enjoy the holiday without causing harm to her braces. Plus, they are fun to make together."

"Eating food that could harm a patient's braces may affect treatment length and results, just as if they were not tending to oral hygiene or wearing their rubber bands," says Dr. Raymond George, Sr., an orthodontist and president of the AAO. "If orthodontic patients are careful about the Halloween treats they eat, they can keep their braces intact and should be able to finish treatment on time and with good results."

The good news is that there are plenty of food options for orthodontic patients. And with a little diligence and creativity, orthodontic patients can still enjoy Halloween treats. In general, orthodontic patients should look for softer treats, such as soft chocolate or peanut butter cups, or melt-in-your-mouth foods.

Any foods that are sticky, chewy, hard or crunchy should be avoided by anyone wearing braces or retainers. To help provide guidelines for orthodontic patients, the AAO recommends patients steer clear of the following Halloween treats, or recipes with these ingredients:

• All hard candies
• All chewy candies
• Caramel
• Nuts
• Licorice
• Taffy
• Jelly beans
• Hard pretzels
• Bubblegum
• Popcorn (including unpopped kernels)
• Taco chips
• Ice

A few sweets can be okay occasionally, provided that the patient remembers to brush and floss after eating. Patients wearing braces need to pay special attention to keeping braces, teeth and gums clean during orthodontic treatment. When braces are placed on patients, orthodontists instruct them in maintaining good oral hygiene. Generally, orthodontists advise patients on how often to brush and to floss every day between teeth, around brackets and at the gumline. Floss threaders help patients maneuver dental floss between archwires and teeth.

"By following their orthodontist's guidance on dental hygiene and avoiding certain foods for the relatively short duration of orthodontic treatment, patients will be on track to a lifetime of healthy teeth and a beautiful smile," says Dr. George.

For more tips and recipes, visit www.braces.org.

(11-03-08)

The number of young people who had a food or digestive allergy increased 18 percent between 1997 and 2007, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2007, approximately 3 million U.S. children and teenagers under age 18 – or nearly 4 percent of that age group – were reported to have a food or digestive allergy in the previous 12 months, compared to just over 2.3 million (3.3 percent) in 1997.

The report found that eight types of food account for 90 percent of all food allergies: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. Reactions to these foods by an allergic person can range from a tingling sensation around the mouth and lips to hives and even death, depending on the severity of the reaction.

Children with food allergy are two to four times more likely to have other related conditions such as asthma and other allergies, compared to children without food allergies, the report says.

Other highlights:

• Boys and girls have similar rates of food allergy – 3.8 percent for boys and 4.1 percent for girls.
• Approximately 4.7 percent of children younger than 5 years have a reported food allergy compared to 3.7 percent of children and teens aged 5 to 17 years.
• Hispanic children have lower rates of reported food allergy (3.1 percent) than non-Hispanic white (4.1 percent) or non-Hispanic black children (4 percent).
• In 2007, 29 percent of children with food allergy also had reported asthma compared to 12 percent of children without food allergy.
• Approximately 27 percent of children with food allergy have reported eczema or skin allergy, compared to 8 percent of children without food allergy.
• More than 30 percent of children with food allergy also have reported respiratory allergy, compared with 9 percent of children with no food allergy.
• From 2004 to 2006, there were approximately 9,537 hospital discharges per year with a diagnosis related to food allergy among children from birth to 17 years. Hospital discharges with a diagnosis related to food allergy increased significantly over time between 1998 and 2000 through 2004 to 2006.

The mechanisms by which a person develops an allergy to specific foods are largely unknown. Food allergy is more prevalent in children than adults. Most affected children will outgrow food allergies, although food allergy can be a lifelong concern. The full report is available at www.cdc.gov/nchs.

(11-03-08)

Change your clocks. Replace your smoke alarm batteries. Both are important this weekend as daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 2.

While changing your clock can keep you on time for work on Monday, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advises consumers that putting fresh batteries in your smoke alarms can save your life.

In recent years, an estimated annual average of 378,700 fires, 2,740 deaths, 13,090 injuries and $5.6 billion in property losses associated with residential fires have been reported by fire departments.

"Smoke alarms save lives," says CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. "That's a fact. Working smoke alarms buy you valuable time to get out of your home when there's a fire."

CPSC urges consumers to install smoke alarms on every level of their home, outside sleeping areas, and inside each bedroom. To minimize nuisance alarms, install smoke alarms at least 10 feet from the stove and oven.

CPSC staff recommends installing both ionization and photoelectric type smoke alarms. Ionization type smoke alarms typically detect flaming fires more quickly, while photoelectric type smoke alarms typically detect smoldering fires sooner.

In addition to replacing smoke alarm batteries, consumers should test their smoke alarms every month to make sure they are operating properly - and never disable a smoke alarm. Long-life smoke alarms with 10-year batteries are also available to consumers.

(11-03-08)

As the price of food climbs across the country, it is becoming more difficult for families heading into the holiday season to pay the premium that can come along with eating healthier, natural and organic foods. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, all food prices increased 4.9 percent in 2007 and are expected to rise another 3 to 4 percent in 2008. In the face of these very real price increases, Liz Weiss, a registered dietitian, has put together some "grocery list makeover" tips for busy families looking to combine health and environmental values as they stock their pantries.

• Check labels for the healthiest ingredients – Stay in the fructose-free zone! Look for foods that do not contain artificial colors, flavors and high fructose corn syrup.
• Buy food in season – Purchase fruits and vegetables that are in season, if not, buying frozen is always a great option and a convenient way to make sure families enjoy healthy foods even when they aren't available.
• Comparison shop using unit pricing – Look at the unit pricing versus the total price of the foods you purchase. This will allow you to find extra savings.
• Purchase foods that come in bulk or larger-sized packaging – Not only will you save money but you will also reduce the amount of waste your family generates.
• Add "extenders" to recipes that help you get more out of your food – Adding black beans to burgers and oatmeal to meatloaf may sound old-fashioned, but not only does it allow you to save money, it adds extra nutrients to food.

Cheesy Black Bean Burgers
Recipe courtesy of the Meal Makeover Moms, Liz Weiss M.S., R.D. and Janice Bissex, M.S., R.D.

1 15.5-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 pound lean ground beef (90 percent or higher)
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup pre-shredded reduced fat Cheddar cheese
1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
8 hamburger buns

Preheat the grill to medium. Place the black beans in a large bowl and mash with the back of a large spoon until smooth but still a bit chunky. Add the beef, egg, cheese, bread crumbs and garlic powder and mix until well combined. Divide the beef mixture and shape into 8 patties. Place the patties on the grill and cook until no longer pink inside and an instant-read thermometer registers at least 160 degrees F, about four minutes per side. Serve on hamburger buns with your favorite toppings and condiments. Makes eight servings.

Nutritional Information per Serving: 310 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated), 510mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate, 7g fiber, 28g protein

For more information, visit www.momsbestnaturals.com. (11-03-08)

The Advertising Council, in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Nutrition and Consumer Services, recently launched new Spanish-language public service advertisements (PSAs) designed to motivate Hispanic families to lead a healthy lifestyle that includes good nutrition and adequate physical activity. The campaign prominently features characters from the beloved Disney's Jungle Book.

A recent survey conducted on behalf of the Ad Council's Coalition for Healthy Children shows that parents continue to be deficient when it comes to knowing how to foster healthy lifestyle habits in the home, with 39 percent of all mothers surveyed reporting that they are unclear about which foods are considered healthy for their families. Furthermore, Hispanic parents show greater disparities, with 49 percent of Hispanic parents reporting that they are unclear about which foods are healthy for their families. Research indicates that being overweight during childhood and adolescence is associated with obesity during adulthood, and can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and some types of cancer.

The new Spanish-language PSAs encourage Americans to visit the campaign's Web site, www.MyPyramid.gov, where mothers and caregivers can obtain information and realistic tips for making and sustaining healthy choices for their children. (10-28-08)

It's nearly time for Halloween! Trick-or-treating, wearing costumes and carving pumpkins are all part of the fun for kids of all ages. However, since many of these activities also offer potential for injury, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) suggests that Halloween-goers take the following steps to stay safe.

Potential Injuries:

• Ill-fitting masks and costumes, as well as walking in unfamiliar areas in the dark, can lead to fractures, dislocations, sprains, contusions, abrasions and head trauma from trips and falls.
• Pumpkin-carving can result in serious lacerations to the hand and also injuries to bones and tendons, if certain precautions are not taken.

"When children get excited about a holiday that involves candy, they may be less cautious than usual," says orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ronald Delanois, spokesperson for the AAOS and member of the Academy's Leadership Fellows Program. "Also, Halloween tends to encourage unruly behavior, so parents and other caregivers need to be especially vigilant to ensure that kids follow basic safety guidelines whether they are pumpkin carving or trick-or-treating."

The AAOS offers the following tips to help ensure an injury-free Halloween:

Pumpkin Carving:

• When carving pumpkins, use specifically designed carving knives, no kitchen knives.
• Carving knives are less likely to get stuck in the thick pumpkin tissue. (Injuries can occur when a carver tries to yank the stuck knife out.)
• Never let children carve pumpkins.
• Adults carving pumpkins should remember to always cut in small, controlled strokes, away from themselves.
• Carving knives should be kept in a clean, dry, well-lit area.
• Any moisture on the tools, hand or table can cause the knife to slip, leading to injuries.
• Should an individual cut a finger or hand while carving pumpkins, elevate the hand above the heart and apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding.
• If continuous pressure does not slow or stop the bleeding after 15 minutes, an emergency room visit may be necessary.
• If there is any numbness in the fingers and/or there is an inability to move the fingers, then the individual should go to the emergency room.

Costumes:

• Halloween costumes should be light and bright, so children are clearly visible to motorists and other pedestrians.
• Trim costumes and bags with reflective tape.
• Make sure children wear flame-resistant costumes that fit properly.
• Costumes that are too long may cause kids to trip and fall.
• Children should wear sturdy, comfortable and slip-resistant shoes.
• Masks and hats can impair a child's vision, so secure hats well and consider using face makeup instead of masks.

Trick-or-Treating:

• When trick-or-treating, children should stay in familiar neighborhoods and be accompanied by an adult at all times.
• Children must walk on sidewalks and never cut across yards or driveways.
• They should also obey all traffic signals and remain in designated crosswalks when crossing the street.
• Trick-or-treaters should only approach houses that are well lit.
• Both children and parents should carry flashlights to see and be seen.
• Consider skipping the door-to-door trick-or-treating and attend a neighborhood Halloween party instead.
• Examine all treats for tampering or other unsafe conditions before allowing the children to eat them.

For more information, visit www.orthoinfo.org.

(10-28-08)

Food allergies are rising in children, and now affect around three million kids, according to a new federal study. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about one in 26 children had food allergies last year, compared to one in 29 in 1997. The CDC study was conducted by a door-to-door survey of 9,500 households that had children under the age of 18.

The CDC also reports that one in 50 children are allergic to shellfish and one in 100 are allergic to peanuts.

Learn more about food allergies here.

(10-28-08)

If entertaining young ghosts and goblins this Halloween, why not try some healthy alternatives to all those chocolate bars and candy treats? With only a limited amount of preparation time and creativity, parents can offer such goodies as apple wedges dipped in caramel sauce, celery sticks with peanut butter, ants on a log (frozen bananas topped with raisins), pretzels dipped in chocolate or snack cereal drizzled with melted chocolate or peanut butter and lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar.

"Try something that's nutritious, but presented with a little extra twist so as to make it more appealing to kids," says Terry Brown, a registered dietician at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

For healthier handout treats, she suggests small packages of raisins, goldfish crackers, pretzels, trail mix, nuts, fruit roll-ups or granola bars.

In addition, it's a good idea to ration the amount of candy a child eats at one time, Brown says. Placing a small amount of candy in a plastic bag for a special treat can help kids determine how much is enough, she says.

(10-28-08)

Halloween Riddle: What evil villain doesn't go thump in the night or creep about in the fog, but silently leaves a potentially dangerous trail of oral destruction in its wake? The answer is sugar.

In fact, no matter how pretty it looks or how good it tastes in its candy "costume," sugar has long been identified by oral health experts as a major culprit behind tooth decay and cavities. If not removed by brushing or some other means, naturally occurring bacteria in the human mouth form a colorless, sticky film called plaque. Cavity-causing microorganisms within plaque feed on sugar and turn it into acid. This acid attacks tooth enamel and causes tooth decay.

"While we tend to focus on Halloween candy at this time of year, sometimes parents don't realize the amount of sugar children consume during the entire year," says Dr. Max Anderson, a national oral health advisor for Delta Dental Plans Association. "It's not just the sugar in candy that is harmful, but the sugar that is packed into foods such as cereals, processed fruit snacks, birthday cakes and sweetened beverages, which children may eat and drink every day."

Still, Halloween is a good time of year for parents to review the following strategies that can help them protect their children's teeth, during this holiday and all year:

• Choose candy that can be eaten quickly and easily to limit the amount of time sugar is in contact with the teeth.
• Steer away from sticky candies like sugared fruit snacks, caramels, popcorn balls and other candies that expose the teeth to sugar for long periods of time.
• Encourage children to eat a small amount of candy in one sitting followed by a glass of water or a thorough tooth brushing.
• Encourage children to eat a good meal prior to trick-or-treating, so there will be less temptation to fill up on candy.
• Avoid buying Halloween candy too far ahead of time to remove the temptation for children (and adults) to dig in.
• Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
• Encourage brushing at least twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, flossing and regular dental checkups to help establish good oral health habits in children and to prevent cavities all year long.

"When you consider that each year Americans consume 142 pounds of sugar and corn sweeteners and gobble up 25 pounds of candy, it further emphasizes the importance of practicing all these cavity prevention strategies year-round and not just at Halloween," says Dr. Anderson.

(10-28-08)

Wild blueberry antioxidant research has advanced with the release of results from a new study showing wild blueberries outperformed two dozen other commonly consumed fruits like apples, bananas, red grapes and strawberries in an expanded test using the Cellular Antioxidant Activity (CAA) assay.

New research published in the current issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry shows that wild blueberries have the highest cellular antioxidant activity of the 25 fruits tested, as well as the highest total phenolic content and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Lead scientist Dr. Rui Hai Liu used the cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) assay – a new assay developed by the Cornell University Department of Food Science to determine antioxidant activity of antioxidants, foods and dietary supplements.

According to Dr. Liu, the CAA assay was developed to investigate how antioxidant compounds found in foods react inside cells, using human liver cancer cells as the testing model. The CAA assay takes antioxidant measurement to a new level moving beyond test tube assays to bioactivity inside cells. The CAA assay is a more biologically relevant method than the chemistry antioxidant activity assays as it accounts for uptake, metabolism, distribution and activity of antioxidant compounds within cells versus solely looking at antioxidant value. The CAA assay is the first movement in the antioxidant field away from test tube chemistry assays and toward cell-based antioxidant activity assay.

Wild Blueberry Association Nutrition Advisor Dr. Susan Davis advises choosing brightly colored fruits and vegetables with an emphasis on berries. According to Dr. Davis, berries are naturally rich in anthocyanins, protective plant compounds responsible for the deep blue color of fruits like wild blueberries. Anthocyanins have potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and are being studied for their possible preventive role in fighting cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's and other effects of aging.

"The CAA assay results present more evidence that antioxidant-rich foods like wild blueberries, when eaten as part of a well-balanced diet, have the potential to reduce chronic disease risk and promote healthy aging," Dr. Davis says. The USDA recommends between 1 to 2 1/2 cups of fruit per day depending on age, gender and activity level. According to the USDA, just 1/2 cup of fruit delivers one fruit serving.

For more information, visit http://wildblueberries.com.

(10-21-08)