Category: Fitness and Nutrition

August 14, 2023

9 tips that will transform your food shopping

Grocery store tips: Decoding nutrition labels By NorthShore – Edward-Elmhurst Health Grocery shopping these days is no easy task, especially when you are faced with a decision in every aisle. The cereal aisle alone is packed with dozens of choices. Complicating your shopping experience even further, each package is plastered with claims like “whole grain,” […]

August 9, 2022

Summer Grilling: How to Lower Your Health Risk

By Rosemary Weaver, MPH, RDN, LDNNCH Registered Dietitian Ahh…the last full month of summer is upon us – complete with warm, sunny weather and the enticing aroma of foods being grilled outdoors. Whether you are a backyard grill-master, tailgating chef or just a fan of the BBQ, you may not have considered the health risks […]

April 11, 2022

Treat Mom with Healthy Options this Mother’s Day

by Rosemary Weaver, MPH, RDN, LDN, NCH Registered Dietitian As Mother’s Day approaches, you’re probably wanting to find a gift that will make mom smile. This year, why not choose something special that is also healthy? Consider choosing your gift from one of these three “wellness gift” categories: Food, Fitness and Relaxation. Food Maybe it’s […]

February 16, 2022

“Spring Clean” your Diet

By Rosemary Weaver, MPH, RDN, LDN, NCH Registered Dietitian Did the New Year’s resolution to transform your diet fizzle out before Valentine’s Day? Not to worry – you can get a head start and “spring clean” your diet before the change of season next month. You’ll benefit from improved energy levels, a probable boost to […]

December 13, 2021

Jump into wellness for 2022

Do you want to get a jump start on your New Year Resolutions? Now is a great time to launch those fitness goals at the NCH Wellness Center. The Center is adding 86 exciting, brand new pieces of cardio equipment, arriving throughout the winter including a variety of treadmills, ellipticals, recumbent and upright bikes, Jacob’s […]

November 10, 2021

Targeting Healthier Holidays

by Rosemary Weaver, MPH, RDN, LDN, NCH Registered Dietitian With the holidays approaching, perhaps you’re wondering how you can embrace holiday rituals – like potlucks and cookie swaps – without putting yourself or your loved ones at risk of overeating and especially because we’re still in a pandemic. Covid-19 Prevention/Safety First: Per the CDC, the […]

September 14, 2021

Seven Food Strategies to Lower Your Cholesterol

Rosemary Weaver, MPH, RDN, LDN, Wellness Center Dietitian September is National Cholesterol Education Month, an opportunity to learn how changing what you eat can reduce blood cholesterol, improve the types of fats floating around in your bloodstream and reduce your risk of artery-clogging cardiovascular disease. Here are seven food strategies that will help reduce your […]

September 14, 2021

NCH Wellness Center offers free use

On Friday, October 1, Friday, November 5 and Friday, December 3, 2021 NCH Wellness Center (900 West Central Rd., Arlington Heights) is welcoming the public to use the facility at no cost. “We’re going through incredibly challenging times and would like to help our community members improve their health and reduce stress,” says Steve Balaton, […]

June 1, 2021

Celebrate Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month

Rely on summer’s bounty for flavor and nutrition Local farmers markets are open or will be opening soon, bringing with them a variety of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables – just in time for National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month in June. To help us make the most of the delicious opportunities to “eat […]

March 31, 2021

Spring into health with good nutrition

With more time at home and increased anxiety and boredom during the pandemic, many people’s eating habits suffered over the last year. As we mark one year of the pandemic and look forward to better days to come, commit to healthy eating habits. Here are some tips to improve your own nutrition. Eat mindfully. Separate […]

March 18, 2021

COVID-19 challenges provide “food for thought” for dietary pros

The role of dietary experts shifted during the pandemic. “One of our greatest challenges has been quickly learning new information about nutrition for COVID-19 patients and adjusting appropriately,” says Katherin Wong, MS, RD, LDN.

January 21, 2021

“Baby Steps” to better nutrition in 2021

We can all agree that 2020 was a rough year. Now that we’ve launched into 2021, you might be thinking your diet and exercise habits could use an overhaul. But rather than try a radical approach, why not try a gentler, more sustainable approach to improving your habits? This year, consider “growing” one new habit at a time – taking “baby steps” to better nutrition.

January 6, 2021

January JumpStart Virtual Fitness Challenge

To celebrate the beginning of a new year, the NCH Wellness Center is hosting a 21-day JumpStart Virtual Fitness Challenge beginning Monday, January 11. This challenge is a great way to start a new workout routine and will help you build new, healthy habits with lasting effects.

November 10, 2020

The upside to downsizing your Thanksgiving meal

It’s nearly time for one of America’s favorite holidays: Thanksgiving. COVID-19 will likely change the way most of us celebrate this year. Instead of a big spread and a houseful of guests, we should be “downsizing” the celebration to more immediate family. Is there an upside to all this? Practically speaking, yes! Learn delicious and nutritious ideas from Wellness Center Dietitian Rosemary Weaver.

October 14, 2020

NCH Wellness Center offers new youth fitness program

eginning in November, NCH Wellness Center will offer a new youth fitness program. Developed to benefit young people experiencing restricted activity during the pandemic, young athletes can expect camaraderie and team-building in a safe, supportive and high-energy environment. Coach-to-athlete ratios are optimized for individual instruction and attention.

July 22, 2020

Healthy eats for your next road trip

Are you planning a road trip this summer? Today, more people than ever are driving to their vacation destinations. Whether your trip is across the country or just across the county, don’t let healthy eating fly out the window! With a little planning, you can provide your family with foods that will maintain health and provide energy to enjoy exploring the road ahead.

July 8, 2020

Tackling weight gain from COVID-19 quarantine: Nutrition makeover

Rosemary Weaver, MPH, RDN, LDN, NCH Wellness Center Dietitian, serves up seven dietary strategies to help you start trending down to a healthier weight.

June 24, 2020

Dreading the return to your office wardrobe?

Most everyone has heard of the “Freshman 15” – the typical 15 pounds college freshmen tend to gain during their first year away from home. Since the stay at home order was announced in March it seems a new concern is the “COVID 19,” the 19 pounds many people may have gained while working from home or being unemployed. We talked to NCH Behavioral Health Advanced Practice Nurse, Cayce McConnell, PMHNP-BC about emotional eating.

June 11, 2020

A summertime staple meets social distancing

June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, which dovetails with the traditional opening of local farmers markets. This year markets are reopening with new safeguards in place to protect the health of shoppers and vendors.

May 8, 2020

Can’t Work Out? Work In.

Keeping up with health and wellness goals is more challenging these days. The good news is that with NCHFit @ Home, you have a virtual exercise program you can follow any time, anywhere.

April 16, 2020

New day. New recipe.

Cooking is just like any other skill: the more you practice, the better you get at it—no matter how proficient you already are. This makes every night in a great opportunity to try your hand at something new.

April 3, 2020

NCH Wellness Center offers help to get you fit at home

The governor’s stay-at-home order has really knocked a kink in our daily routine. But we have good news!

March 27, 2020

Sensible eating in trying times

Planning and eating nutritious meals and snacks during a pandemic may seem daunting. But you can eat healthy, even with the frozen, canned and shelf-stable items you now have on hand.

November 11, 2019

10 easy ways to lighten up your Thanksgiving

Memories are made by sharing a meal around the table at Thanksgiving. But Grandma’s sweet potato casserole and other family dishes can quickly rack up the calories and set the tone for over indulging.

October 28, 2019

Healthy Halloween

It’s nearly time for our little ghosts and goblins to hit the trick-or-treat trail. Here are some snack ideas to tame your little sugar monster during the doorbell-ringing trek as well as a make-ahead healthier dinner idea that will be a treat to come home to.