According to new research carried out in Canada, children who are exposed to second hand smoke in the car and home can become addicted to nicotine. The researchers discovered that five per cent of children who are “passive smokers” show signs of nicotine dependence, displaying symptoms such as depression, anxiety and lack of concentration.

Prior to this research it was believed that non-smokers cannot develop nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
The study was conducted in Quebec with 1,500 children aged 10 – 12.

Further research will be carried out to discover whether early exposure to second hand smoke increases the percentage of children who take up the habit in later life.

In 2006 a study by Cancer Research UK revealed that children who had tried just a single cigarette by the age of 11 and then stayed nicotine free for three years were still twice as likely to become smokers by their mid-teens.

The message here is perfectly clear! Don’t expose your children to this unwarranted health risk and better yet – quit the habit yourself. Until you take that wise decision, restrict your smoking to a solo event by refraining inside the home and when driving with your children in the car.

My advice would be to stop smoking today and remove the risk of damaging your children’s health at the same time as dramatically improving your own.

Avoid the ususal problems of nicotine withdrawl with this easier, foolproof way of quitting. Try it today!

When eating out it’s important to study restaurant nutrition facts to limit your overall food intake. To help you stay in control when you sit down to a meal in a restaurant or café, here are some great nutritional tips.

Try to view the menu before you enter and select sensible options, with a view to reducing intake of saturated fat and sugar. A number of fast food restaurants have websites with nutritional facts available prior to purchase.
Eating a piece of fruit or drinking a glass of water prior to your meal can take the edge off your hunger and deters overeating.
Eat rough bread as an entree, avoiding butter and high fat dips.
Menu Selection

Plan your daily intake, considering total calories and balance your meals over a 24 hour period.
Limiting your meal to 1 or 2 courses can help to limit overall calorie intake. Selecting two starters instead of a starter and a main course is another option, or you could share a starter or dessert.
Choose a selection of vegetables without butter, sauces or fat laden dressings.
Select dishes which are steamed, braised, grilled or baked and avoid fried food.
Be cautious with cream sauces, pastries and meat dishes as they can be high in saturated fat.
Eating your meal

Eat slowly - allowing your stomach to register satiety.
Drink water with your meal and limit calorie rich alcohol or sodas.
Leave what you don’t want. You don’t have to finish everything.
Stop eating before you feel uncomfortable and bloated.
Whether dining in a restaurant or at home it’s important to consider the nutrition facts.

Researchers Conclude That a Healthy, Low-Calorie Diet Doesn’t Lead to Bone Loss

Cutting back on calories does not lead to bone loss, as long as you eat a well-balanced diet, according to a new study.

Researchers tracked bone loss and weight loss in 46 healthy overweight men and women on four different diet programs. The participants’ average age was 37.

The control group was told to eat a healthy diet. The second group was told to consume 25% fewer calories than they expended per day. Read more about diet control

Source: WebMD