Food of the Month: Swiss Chard

Did you know that 37.3 million Americans have diabetes? According to the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Heath, “If type 2 diabetes were an infectious disease, passed from one person to another, public health officials would say we’re in the midst of an epidemic.” Fortunately, with a few simple lifestyle habits, you can stay on top of this disease, avoid other potential health problems and improve your overall well-being.

The Denver Health Medical Plan Well-Being Champions share healthy living ideas, from recipes to exercise programs. Watch this video to see how Alicia, makes her favorite Roasted Butternut Squash and Warm Quinoa Salad. This is a recipe she originally found on The Kitchen McCabe blog.

Autoimmune diseases are on the rise. An autoimmune disease is an inflammatory condition where the immune system malfunctions and attacks its own tissue. Women have a higher prevalence than men – roughly 80% of those with autoimmune diseases are women. The incidence of autoimmune diseases is increasing year over year. This is likely due to many factors, including hormonal changes, environmental toxins, food, stress, trauma, lack of exercise, infection, and other factors.

While the body requires some sodium to help balance fluid levels and regulate muscle and nerve function, too much can be harmful to our health. The American Heart Association recommends aiming for less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day (which is only about a teaspoon of salt) — 1,500 milligrams per day, ideally. But the average person actually consumes more than 3,400 milligrams a day and most likely doesn’t even realize it.

Did you know September 16 was National Guacamole Day? With so many health benefits, guacamole is certainly something to celebrate!