7 Things in Your Backyard That Could Kill You

• By Susan E. Matthews

Revel in the warm weather all you want, but keep an eye out for these potential dangers.

Your dog may be cute, but dog poop can carry diseases.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Congratulations — you’ve made it through the polar vortex and came out alive. You definitely deserve some R&R, but before you relax too much, make sure your backyard is free from these potential summer hazards. Between pesticide-treated lawns and toxic dog poop, there are plenty of problems lurking.

Here are the dangers, along with some tips on how to minimize them.

1. Pesticide-infused grass.  The chemicals can literally rub off on the kids and pets that frolic there, said Susanne Bennett, DC, CCSP, an allergy specialist and author of The 7-Day Allergy Makeover. Pesticides also run off into streams and lakes, contaminating the water supply. Exposure to pesticides has been linked to increased cancer incidence, and disruption of the hormones that could cause thyroid problems or infertility. In managing our lawns, homeowners use up to 10 times more pesticides per acre than farmers, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services reports. So instead of contributing to the problem, follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s tips for maintaining a nice lawn without relying on pesticides.

2. Dog poop.  Unfortunately, you can’t get away with using your pooch’s poo as your all-natural fertilizer — the substance doesn't actually do anything to fertilize, and it contains tons of dangerous bacteria. Your pet's presents can have viruses and worms that are dangerous to humans, some of which can be passed just from skin-to-skin contact. "Dog poop can have parasites that you're not aware of and can enter your body through your skin," Dr. Bennett said. Clean up after your dog — in your backyard, and elsewhere, and avoid being barefoot outdoors. 

3. Ticks and Lyme disease. A tick’s bite could leave you with Lyme disease, which can lead to months of exhaustion, and, untreated, can cause other problems including arthritis, meningitis, or irregular heartbeat. To avoid this, check for ticks regularly. Look all over for the small little tick, which may be raised on your skin, and keep an eye out for the bull’s eye rash that may signal the start of the infection.  If you’re experiencing symptoms, including the rash or exhaustion, or if you’ve removed a tick from your skin, see your doctor.

RELATED: 11 Insects and Spiders That Bite and Sting

4. Bees. If you’re allergic to bees, you should have an Epi-Pen. You can also avoid wearing brightly colored clothes and perfume, and try not to eat or drink sweets that may attract the insects, Bennett said. 

5. Backyard burning. Whether you use a burn barrel or try to make a campfire, burning household waste is actually quite dangerous. Beyond the risk of the fire getting out of control, burning waste may expel chemicals in to the air that have serious health side effects, including asthma, developmental disorders, kidney failure, and liver failure. Ash residue can be equally dangerous, particularly if scattered on gardens. Dispose of trash properly, and recycle and compost when you can. Beyond your own fires, Dr. Bennett noted that smoke from wildfires can often irritate the body, so if you can see or smell smoke, head indoors. She also advised setting up a fan to blow away smoke from the grill, or closing the grill while its cooking. 

6. The swimming pool, especially the hot tub. Yes, you can drown in a pool. But you can also be poisoned by the chemicals in it. Nearly 5,000 people were sent to the emergency room last year due to chemical poisoning from pools, according to the Centers for Disease Control, who has tips for handling pool chemicals. Beyond just handling the chemicals, over-treated pools can cause chronic overexposure to certain toxins — particularly in hot tubs where the water is vaporized and inhaled. Hot tubs also open up your pores, allowing chemicals to seep directly into your body, Bennett said. Follow the CDC recommendations, or use an ionization system to clean the pool while avoiding most chemicals.

7. Tanning. No list of backyard dangers would be complete without the obligatory reminder to wear sunscreen. 

8 Best Snacks for Blood-Sugar Control

• By Debbie Strong 
•  Reviewed by Kelly Kennedy, MS, RD

• Next

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  Stephen Lux/Getty Images

  1 / 9   Learn How to Snack Smart

  If you have type 2 diabetes, smart snacking is crucial to your healthy eating plan. Hunger can lead to dips and spikes in blood sugar that can cause dizziness, irritability, and feelings of weakness — not to mention increasing your risk for a host of other diabetes-related problems. One of the best ways to avoid the roller coaster? Eat nutritious snacks at regular intervals throughout the day, even if you're on the go. Here are your best — and tastiest — bets.
  •  lead to dips and spikes in blood sugar that can cause dizziness, irritability, and feelings of weakness — not to mention increasing your risk for a host of other diabetes-related problems. One of the best ways to avoid the roller coaster? Eat nutritious snacks at regular intervals throughout the day, even if you're on the go. Here are your best — and tastiest — bets.
  • 
    iStock.com

    2 / 9   Pistachios

    “Aim for a snack that will not spike blood glucose, like a healthy fat or a lean protein,” says Erin-Palinski-Wade, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. Or choose a food that combines both, like pistachios. This tasty nut contains a powerful punch of protein as well as a mixture of healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which can help reduce your cholesterol levels and can cut your risk of complications from diabetes. A one-ounce portion (or about 50 pistachio nuts) equals about 160 calories
    • lories.
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      Keith Leighton/Alamy

      3 / 9   Sliced Avocado with Lime

      Another of Palinski-Wade's favorite go-to diabetes snacks is avocado. This superfood(it's actually a fruit) is one of the best sources of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats around, and it's also a time-saving snack that's easy to slice and go. Try topping your slices with a squeeze of lime juice and a bit of sea salt for extra flavor. It's important to remember that avocados are calorie-dense, so be aware of proper portion size. A half-cup portion is a manageable 120 calories and will keep you feeling full until your next meal
      
      Shuterstock

      4 / 9   Hummus and Bell Peppers

      Combining protein and healthy fats with high–quality carbohydrates is a great way to give your snack staying power, advises Palinski-Wade. “A good rule of thumb is to keep carbohydrates per snack to 15 to 30 grams, and to have them come from complex carbs versus simple carbs,” she says. Because they're slowly digested, high-quality complex carbs help ward off hunger and keep your blood sugar on an even keel, especially when combined with protein and fat. “Make sure to choose slow-digested options, such as vegetables and hummus, to prevent additional blood-sugar spikes.” One sliced bell pepper and a quarter cup of hummus sets you back about 120 caloriesThinkstock

      5 / 9   Whole Grain Toast with Peanut Butter

      For around 280 calories, whole-grain bread with peanut butter (which contains healthy monounsaturated fats and appetite-satisfying protein) is another snack that will ward off hunger for hours, says Palinski-Wade. Look for a brand of peanut butter with little to no added sugar; and be sure to measure out each serving to keep calories in check. For even less carbs, choose celery sticks instead of the breadDavid Crockett/Thinkstock

      6 / 9   Shrimp Cocktail

      High in protein and low in unhealthy saturated fat, fresh shrimp is an easy win for snacking to stabilize your blood sugar. Each piece of shrimp equals about 4-6 calories depending on size. “A small amount of cocktail sauce — one tablespoon or so — is fine,” says Palinski-Wade. “Or you could enjoy it with fresh salsa or chopped tomatoes,” she adds. Shrimp cocktail is a great pick if you're dining at a restaurant and want a healthy appetizer that won't spike your blood sugar and send it crashing laterGabriel Bucataru/Stocksy

      7 / 9   Mozzarella and Tomatoes

      “Fresh mozzarella and tomato is another good choice that's easy to get when dining out,” says Palinski-Wade. Go easy on the cheese, which is high in saturated fat, and be sure to choose part-skim or even fat-free mozzarella. Skip dressing and opt for a drizzle ofheart-healthy olive oil or balsamic vinegar and a dash of salt and pepper for flavor; a one-cup serving is equal to about a 180-calorie snack
    • 
      

      8 / 9   Oatmeal with Berries

      Who says oatmeal is just for breakfast? A half-cup of oatmeal prepared with water and topped with a quarter-cup of blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries is a tasty treat to fill you up and keep blood-sugar levels stable. To add a dose of healthy fats, top with chopped almonds or walnuts; you'll still wind up at under 300 calories per sweet, satisfying serving

• 
  

The Prediabetes Diet Everyone Needs

By Beth W. Orenstein 

 Medically Reviewed by Farrokh Sohrabi, MD

A prediabetes diet can benefit everyone, regardless of your type 2 diabetes risk.

Experts believe the number of people living with diabetes will rise dramatically over the next 40 years.

If current trends continue, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as one in three adults could have the disease by 2050.

And about 79 million American adults now have prediabetes, a condition marked by above-normal blood sugar levels that aren’t high enough to bediagnosed as type 2 diabetes.

If there’s a silver lining to these alarming statistics, it’s that there’s plenty you can do to prevent the disease or slow the progression, including eating a balanced diet.

Everyone can benefit from a healthy eating plan aimed at containing prediabetes, regardless of whether you’re at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, says Barbara Borcik, RD, LDN, CDE, of the Diabetes & Nutrition Center at Northwest Hospital in Randallstown, Md.

7 Golden Rules of Healthy Eating

Here are seven sound diet principles that can keep your blood sugars from creeping upward, among other health benefits.

• Skip the sugary drinks. No sweet tea. No juice. No soda. No sweetened lemonade. No mocha latte coffee creations. “My number one recommendation to people is: Don’t drink your sugar,” Borcik says. Sugary drinks provide nothing more than empty calories, and they won’t help you feel full. “All the sugary drinks out there are a real risk factor for obesity,” she stresses.
• Pull back on portions. You still can eat many of the foods you like, just have smaller amounts of them, Borcik says, adding that this is especially true for starchy foods like white rice, white potatoes, and pasta. Cut out high-calorie, junky snacks, and save your decadent desserts for special occasions. Remember that even healthy foods can lead to weight gain if you eat too much of them, and being overweight is a primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
• Fill up on fiber. Eat plenty of high-fiber foods, including vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains. Fiber helps you feel fuller longer and can help you eat less to avoid weight gain. At least half your plate should be fruits and vegetables that have been steamed or sautéed in healthy fats. Those veggies can be fresh, frozen, or canned. Just skip the canned vegetables with added salt.
• Be choosy about fats. Your diet should have some fat, but opt for the healthiest sources: olive and vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and avocado. Buy low-fat or fat-free dairy products such as reduced-fat cheeses, non-fat or low-fat yogurt, and skim milk.
• Drink alcohol only in moderation. Men should have no more than two drinks a day, women no more than one. A drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits of 80-proof.
• Choose lean meats. To easily identify lean red meats, look for cuts that have the word “round” or “loin” in their name, such as top round or pork loin. Even with these better-for-you picks, trim all visible fat. Opt for white-meat chicken or turkey without the skin. Adding fish to your diet two to three times a week is part of a diet that can help diabetes prevention. Bake, broil, roast, grill, or sauté rather than fry to keep it lean, Borcik says.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. People often mistake thirst for hunger, which can lead to overeating and weight gain. “You feel better when you’re hydrated,” Borcik says. “Staying hydrated helps to lower your blood sugar, which you should do anyway.”

Diet and Exercise Go Hand-in-Hand

A prediabetes regimen also includes regular exercise, both aerobics and strength training, to help you get to a healthy weight and maintain it once you’re there, says Borcik. Plan for at least 30 minutes a day.

Borcik also suggests sneaking exercise into your daily activities by parking farther from the entrance at the mall or your office building, using the stairs instead of elevators, and taking a walk around your workplace at lunchtime.

The best way to prevent type 2 diabetes is to follow a healthy lifestyle, which includes making smart food choices. If your diet could use a makeover, don’t wait until your doctor sounds the prediabetes alarm to make changes. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The Prediabetes Diet Everyone Needs

• By Beth W. Orenstein 
•  Medically Reviewed by Farrokh Sohrabi, MD

A prediabetes diet can benefit everyone, regardless of your type 2 diabetes risk.

Experts believe the number of people living with diabetes will rise dramatically over the next 40 years.

If current trends continue, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as one in three adults could have the disease by 2050.

And about 79 million American adults now have prediabetes, a condition marked by above-normal blood sugar levels that aren’t high enough to bediagnosed as type 2 diabetes.

If there’s a silver lining to these alarming statistics, it’s that there’s plenty you can do to prevent the disease or slow the progression, including eating a balanced diet.

Everyone can benefit from a healthy eating plan aimed at containing prediabetes, regardless of whether you’re at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, says Barbara Borcik, RD, LDN, CDE, of the Diabetes & Nutrition Center at Northwest Hospital in Randallstown, Md.

7 Golden Rules of Healthy Eating

Here are seven sound diet principles that can keep your blood sugars from creeping upward, among other health benefits.

• Skip the sugary drinks. No sweet tea. No juice. No soda. No sweetened lemonade. No mocha latte coffee creations. “My number one recommendation to people is: Don’t drink your sugar,” Borcik says. Sugary drinks provide nothing more than empty calories, and they won’t help you feel full. “All the sugary drinks out there are a real risk factor for obesity,” she stresses.
• Pull back on portions. You still can eat many of the foods you like, just have smaller amounts of them, Borcik says, adding that this is especially true for starchy foods like white rice, white potatoes, and pasta. Cut out high-calorie, junky snacks, and save your decadent desserts for special occasions. Remember that even healthy foods can lead to weight gain if you eat too much of them, and being overweight is a primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
• Fill up on fiber. Eat plenty of high-fiber foods, including vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains. Fiber helps you feel fuller longer and can help you eat less to avoid weight gain. At least half your plate should be fruits and vegetables that have been steamed or sautéed in healthy fats. Those veggies can be fresh, frozen, or canned. Just skip the canned vegetables with added salt.
• Be choosy about fats. Your diet should have some fat, but opt for the healthiest sources: olive and vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and avocado. Buy low-fat or fat-free dairy products such as reduced-fat cheeses, non-fat or low-fat yogurt, and skim milk.
• Drink alcohol only in moderation. Men should have no more than two drinks a day, women no more than one. A drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits of 80-proof.
• Choose lean meats. To easily identify lean red meats, look for cuts that have the word “round” or “loin” in their name, such as top round or pork loin. Even with these better-for-you picks, trim all visible fat. Opt for white-meat chicken or turkey without the skin. Adding fish to your diet two to three times a week is part of a diet that can help diabetes prevention. Bake, broil, roast, grill, or sauté rather than fry to keep it lean, Borcik says.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. People often mistake thirst for hunger, which can lead to overeating and weight gain. “You feel better when you’re hydrated,” Borcik says. “Staying hydrated helps to lower your blood sugar, which you should do anyway.”

Diet and Exercise Go Hand-in-Hand

A prediabetes regimen also includes regular exercise, both aerobics and strength training, to help you get to a healthy weight and maintain it once you’re there, says Borcik. Plan for at least 30 minutes a day.

Borcik also suggests sneaking exercise into your daily activities by parking farther from the entrance at the mall or your office building, using the stairs instead of elevators, and taking a walk around your workplace at lunchtime.

The best way to prevent type 2 diabetes is to follow a healthy lifestyle, which includes making smart food choices. If your diet could use a makeover, don’t wait until your doctor sounds the prediabetes alarm to make changes. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Sugar Substitutes for Diabetes

• By Beth Gilbert | Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

• Next

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  1 / 7  

  If you think that people with diabetes should always avoid sugar, think again — they can enjoy the sweet stuff, in moderation. "The best bet is to use a very minimal amount of real sugar as part of a balanced diabetic diet," says Keri Glassman, MS, RD, CDN, of Nutritious Life, a nutrition practice based in New York City. That being said, sugar substitutes offer sweetness while controlling carbohydrate intake and blood glucose. There are many sugar substitutes to choose from, but they’re not all calorie-free and they vary in terms of their impact on blood sugar. "The major difference between the sugar substitutes is whether they are nutritive or non-nutritive sweeteners," says Melissa Mullins, MS, RD, a certified diabetes educator with Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Va. "Non-nutritive sweeteners provide no calories and no changes in blood glucose levels, which is perfect for people with diabetes.” Here are six sweet options to consider.
  
  Sonny Abesamis/Flickr

  2 / 7   Splenda: Good for Diabetes

  Splenda is a brand name for sucralose, a non-nutritive or artificial sweetener, which is excellent for people with diabetes — type 2 diabetes in particular. Splenda is 600 times sweeter than sugar, says Glassman, but those little yellow packets have no effect onblood sugar. In addition, Splenda passes through the body with minimal absorption.
  • da is a brand name for sucralose, a non-nutritive or artificial sweetener, which is excellent for people with diabetes — type 2 diabetes in particular. Splenda is 600 times sweeter than sugar, says Glassman, but those little yellow packets have no effect onblood sugar. In addition, Splenda passes through the body with minimal absorption.
  • 
    Simon Q/Flickr

    3 / 7   Saccharin: Watch Out for Weight Gain

    Saccharin, the sweetener sold in pink packets under the brand name Sweet 'N' Low, is calorie-free and is about 300 to 500 times sweeter than sugar. Though it can be a sugar substitute option for those with diabetes, "research has shown that the intake of saccharin can lead to weight gain," Glassman warns. "Usually, when one eats a sweet food, the body expects calories to accompany that food. When the body does not get those calories, it looks for them elsewhere. This can lead to greater calorie consumption throughout the day as your body craves the caloric satisfaction it has missed," she explains.
    
    Cafemama/Flickr

    4 / 7   Aspartame: Possible Side Effects

    Aspartame, sold in blue packets under the brand names Equal and NutraSweet, is a non-nutritive artificial sweetener that is 200 times sweeter than sugar. While not zero calories like some other artificial sweeteners, aspartame is still very low in calories. But while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has reviewed the scientific research and found aspartame to be safe for human consumption, Glassman notes that there have also been some conflicting study results on aspartame's safety. "Although its low calorie reputation is appealing for most weight-conscious individuals, it has been linked to many negative side effects," Glassman says. "Some research shows linkage to leukemia, lymphoma, and breast cancer. Other research shows a linkage to migraines." In addition, people with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare condition in which they are unable to metabolize phenylalanine (a key component of aspertame), should not consume this sugar substitute
    • gar substitute.
    • 
      Dziner/Flickr

      5 / 7   Stevia: An All-Natural Option

      Truvia, the newbie among sugar substitutes, is one brand of the sweetener derived from the leaf of the stevia plant, native to Central and South America. Truvia is calorie-free and has been shown to have little to no impact on blood sugar, which is why it is an excellent sugar substitute for diabetic people. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of certain stevia extracts as a sweetener in foods and beverages, and other brands, including Pure Via and Sun Crystals. There have been anecdotal reports of side effects associated with over-consumption of stevia, including headaches and gastrointestinal symptoms, but to date there is no solid scientific research to back this up
      

      6 / 7   Agave: Super Sweetener

      Derived from the sap of the agave plant, agave nectar is a form of sugar, but it is low on the glycemic index. This means that agave is absorbed more slowly by the body, causing a relatively lower spike in blood sugar and less of a sugar rush than other forms of the real thing. "Its low glycemic index makes it a good sugar substitute for diabetic people," says Glassman. One caveat: agave has about 60 calories per tablespoon, making portion control essential. However, Glassman notes,"agave is 1.5 times sweeter than sugar, so you can use less."
      

      7 / 7   Sugar Alcohols: Low-Calorie Sweeteners

      Sugar alcohols, or polyols, are derived from the natural fibers in fruits and vegetables. They do contain carbohydrates, so they are considered nutritive sweeteners. Though sugar alcohols are relatively low in calories and blood-sugar friendly, they can cause indigestion, bloating, diarrhea, and headaches. See how you respond to a small amount before incorporating them into your daily diet. Examples of sugar alcohols include sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol.
      Mullins says that sugar alcohols contain some carbohydrates, and some types break down more completely than others. "I recommend that people who are going to use these sugar substitutes keep track of carbohydrate levels," says Mullins. "Subtract half the amount of sugar alcohols from the total number of carbohydrates to understand how many carbs are actually being consumed and the impact on blood glucose levels."
  • 
    

• 4 / 7   Aspartame: Possible Side Effects

  Aspartame, sold in blue packets under the brand names Equal and NutraSweet, is a non-nutritive artificial sweetener that is 200 times sweeter than sugar. While not zero calories like some other artificial sweeteners, aspartame is still very low in calories. But while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has reviewed the scientific research and found aspartame to be safe for human consumption, Glassman notes that there have also been some conflicting study results on aspartame's safety. "Although its low calorie reputation is appealing for most weight-conscious individuals, it has been linked to many negative side effects," Glassman says. "Some research shows linkage to leukemia, lymphoma, and breast cancer. Other research shows a linkage to migraines." In addition, people with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare condition in which they are unable to metabolize phenylalanine (a key component of aspertame), should not consume this sugar substitute

  4 / 7   Aspartame: Possible Side Effects

  Aspartame, sold in blue packets under the brand names Equal and NutraSweet, is a non-nutritive artificial sweetener that is 200 times sweeter than sugar. While not zero calories like some other artificial sweeteners, aspartame is still very low in calories. But while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has reviewed the scientific research and found aspartame to be safe for human consumption, Glassman notes that there have also been some conflicting study results on aspartame's safety. "Although its low calorie reputation is appealing for most weight-conscious individuals, it has been linked to many negative side effects," Glassman says. "Some research shows linkage to leukemia, lymphoma, and breast cancer. Other research shows a linkage to migraines." In addition, people with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare condition in which they are unable to metabolize phenylalanine (a key component of aspertame), should not consume this sugar substitute

  4 / 7   Aspartame: Possible Side Effects

  Aspartame, sold in blue packets under the brand names Equal and NutraSweet, is a non-nutritive artificial sweetener that is 200 times sweeter than sugar. While not zero calories like some other artificial sweeteners, aspartame is still very low in calories. But while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has reviewed the scientific research and found aspartame to be safe for human consumption, Glassman notes that there have also been some conflicting study results on aspartame's safety. "Although its low calorie reputation is appealing for most weight-conscious individuals, it has been linked to many negative side effects," Glassman says. "Some research shows linkage to leukemia, lymphoma, and breast cancer. Other research shows a linkage to migraines." In addition, people with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare condition in which they are unable to metabolize phenylalanine (a key component of aspertame), should not consume this sugar substitute.

  3 / 7   Saccharin: Watch Out for Weight Gain

  Saccharin, the sweetener sold in pink packets under the brand name Sweet 'N' Low, is calorie-free and is about 300 to 500 times sweeter than sugar. Though it can be a sugar substitute option for those with diabetes, "research has shown that the intake of saccharin can lead to weight gain," Glassman warns. "Usually, when one eats a sweet food, the body expects calories to accompany that food. When the body does not get those calories, it looks for them elsewhere. This can lead to greater calorie consumption throughout the day as your body craves the caloric satisfaction it has missed," she explains.

  3 / 7   Saccharin: Watch Out for Weight Gain

  Saccharin, the sweetener sold in pink packets under the brand name Sweet 'N' Low, is calorie-free and is about 300 to 500 times sweeter than sugar. Though it can be a sugar substitute option for those with diabetes, "research has shown that the intake of saccharin can lead to weight gain," Glassman warns. "Usually, when one eats a sweet food, the body expects calories to accompany that food. When the body does not get those calories, it looks for them elsewhere. This can lead to greater calorie consumption throughout the day as your body craves the caloric satisfaction it has missed," she explains.