The holiday weekend is nearly here, so there’s a good chance you’ll be going to a barbecue – or two or three!

But how do you stay healthy when you’re tempted by hamburgers and hot dogs?

The best thing to do is come up with a plan first – if you’ve got dietary restrictions, call the party host ahead of time and see if you can bring your own proteins and sides. If not, when you’re there, look for the leaner proteins – chicken kabobs, grilled veggies, or salmon and shrimp.

And what do you wash it all down with? Sugary sodas or alcohol may help pack on the pounds, and if plain water is too boring, look for flavored water without sweeteners, and you’ll avoid extra calories.

Most important of all – have fun and be safe – so that you’ll be able to enjoy more cookouts this summer!

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We know exercise is good to lower our blood pressure, but the motivation to exercise can sometimes be so difficult. So, take a bath instead!

Researchers have found many of the same benefits in a hot bath as low-intensity aerobics. After a few minutes your heart rate will rise, and you’ll feel hot – it’s similar to the effects you get from walking, jogging, or cycling. The study shows similar effects between exercise and a hot bath in blood flow, blood pressure, and glucose levels.

However, after sitting in a hot bath or a sauna, you won’t find that any calories are being burn, which means you won’t find yourself losing fat or building muscle. It also won’t help boost bone density, and it won’t help with endurance, strength, or mobility. So while it mimics aerobic activity, it shouldn’t be used in place of regular exercise.

Researchers recommend hot baths after exercise – it will help reduce inflammation and help muscles recover faster.

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Whenever you have a pill to take, you need liquid to swallow it down with. But did you know you might be using the wrong type of drink to chase them with?

A new study found that no matter if you take pills at morning, noon, or night, to wash it down with water only. Never use coffee, juice, soda, or milk.

The study looked at the different types of drinks and the effect it has on different pills – they tested over the counter meds like Tylenol and ibuprofen.

Researchers found that anything other than water may affect how your body absorbs medication.

Coffee, juice, and soda may make pills dissolve too quickly, and your body doesn’t have as much time to absorb what’s in them so they may not work as well as they should.

Not every pill will necessarily have the same effect, but unless your doctor gives you the all-clear, stick with water.

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You try to eat healthy as a general rule – but there’s something you can be doing that’ll help you out even further – and it all depends on the order you eat your foods.

No matter what you do, eat starchy and sugary stuff last. There’s real science behind it – it helps if you don’t want your blood sugar to spike, especially important for those who have type-2 diabetes.

Eating starches allows your body to digest the sugar more gradually and can reduce blood sugar spikes by 75%.

The order to remember – vegetables and high fiber first, then fats and proteins next, finally carbs. Try it out for dinner tonight!

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