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Family responsibilities in controlling addiction

February 2, 2017
Family responsibilities

Family responsibilities in controlling addiction will go a long way in uniting the breaking relationships and marriages

Family responsibilities in controlling addiction: Working closely with addicts

A common scenario in working with individuals and families around alcohol and drug abuse and dependence can be very complicated but with keep observation of the family responsibilities in controlling substance abuse, it could be made easier. Experts at AWAREmed health and wellness resource center agrees that families have a big role to play in helping their loved ones get better as oppose to how the world looks at the victims in a way that:

  • The abuse of the substance usually ends up in trouble in their environment be it at school, work, legally or in relationships within the family and outside the family.
  • Because of their drinking and drug use, and they’re out of control behavior they become the focus of attention and considered as the problem or troublemaker.
  • In the treatment world they are called the identified patient but to the family, these individuals have issues which need fixing before the family can get their normal lives back.

Much of the energy and attention is put on the addicted patients to change their “crazy” behavior. The problem is that many at times they are not able to at that point in time, meaning that you will be asking someone who is out of control to take control. It normally doesn’t work that way and the condition continues to deteriorate until someone else take that control normally the court, police or families members.

Therefore if the 3-C’s say “you can’t control it,” what then do you control? Well, exercise of control may be done if pressure is exerted upon an individual like the threat of being put jail, job loss, divorce or eviction this way they may consent to go into treatment which will, hopefully, begin the process of change desired. Keen note should be taken as consenting to treatment may be used as an escape from the current situation (pressure) and once it ends the individual quickly returns to their prior behaviors and lifestyle.

Doctor Dalal Akoury agrees that treatment is very vital, but it has its limitations, it is only the beginning. If all the underlying conditions like stressors, relationships, etc. in a persons’ life remain unchanged, returning from treatment and sustaining that positive change may be very difficult. Many families believe that by sending someone for treatment will cure them and that during the treatment period they will be free from the crazy behaviors of the patient. That should not be the case, for lasting recovery and the family should get involved in the whole process, before, during and after treatment.

Family responsibilities in controlling addiction: Understanding the family dynamics

Finally, it can be easy to complain about your loved one addiction condition and that us where the families always miss the point. The point is appreciating families and family dynamics may be complicated and difficult and to add alcohol and drugs further complicates the already complicated situation. Much as we have these substances around us many families do not have full information about alcohol and drug abuse and addiction and that is why doctor Akoury created this facility to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. If this is your problem, you can call on the experts at AWAREmed for the commencement of your recovery program.

Family responsibilities in controlling addiction: Working closely with addicts

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Why medical detox is necessary to addicts

Family involvement in healthy eating culture

December 2, 2016
Family involvement

Family involvement in healthy eating culture is beneficial in many ways including keeping lean weight and healthy lifestyle

Family involvement in healthy eating culture: Family meals

Weight related complications are becoming the norm in this generation. Both young and old are suffering for things that could easily be addressed if our parents did their part in instilling the right feeding habits in their children from their tender ages. Experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of Doctor Dalal Akoury MD, reiterates that the whole family involvement in the development of good and healthy feeding culture is very necessary if this problem is to be put to manageable levels. The genesis of family participation must begin with the children. This way, we are impacting positively in them and as they grow into adults, they will always remember the good healthy upbringing.

Family involvement in healthy eating culture: Involve the children effectively

  • Most kids will enjoy deciding what to make for dinner.
  • Talk to them about making choices and planning a balanced meal.
  • Some might even want to help shop for ingredients and prepare the meal.
  • At the store, teach kids to check out food labels to begin understanding what to look for.
  • In the kitchen, select age-appropriate tasks so kids can play a part without getting injured or feeling overwhelmed. And at the end of the meal, don’t forget to praise the chef.
  • School lunches can be another learning lesson for kids. More important, if you can get them thinking about what they eat for lunch, you might be able to help them make positive changes.
  • Brainstorm about what kinds of foods they’d like for lunch or go to the grocery store to shop together for healthy, packable foods.

Doing this may not be easy if you’re are already struggling with your own poor eating habit and so seeking professional help from doctor Dalal Akoury will benefits you greatly. Doctor Dalal Akoury MD, is a weight loss professional and also an expert in nutrition. Motivated by the need of transforming peoples’ lives, she founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center a facility whose sole objective is to impact positively into the society and across the globe by transforming each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals into finding their own inner healing power.

Besides that it will also interest you to note that doctor Akoury’s practice are professional and focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. This puts her in the best position to address all your weight related problems. Therefore, if you or anyone you know is struggling with their weight or that of their children either because of poor feeding habits, the solution is right here with doctor Akoury. You can always schedule for an appointment with her today for real time solution to all your queries.

Family involvement in healthy eating culture: Family meals

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Importance of Family meals and mindful eating

February 6, 2015

Importance of Family meals and mindful eating: why do they matter?

Importance of Family meals and mindful eating

Importance of Family meals and mindful eating is one of the best ways of training children to adapt on healthy feeding habits.

Have you heard the wise saying that a family that eats together stays together? This is a virtue which is losing popularity in this time and age. Because of various reasons getting the whole family to sit down on around table for a meal can be very difficult sometimes next to impossible owing to the various activities like engagement in sport practice, working late to meet certain tight deadlines and homework taking up most of your evening hours. This culture has made many family members living in one house to take their meals at whatever time best suits them. Even though this may be fine to others it may not really impact positively to the children and even grownups who are struggling with certain health conditions relating to weight gain. Some studies have established that families who eat together have demonstrated positive outcomes when it comes to health, family relationships and social development. As we progress in this discussion, we are going to look at the importance of family meals and mindful eating in relation to keeping a healthy family.

According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, it is the family meal time where children learn manners and healthy feeding habits share and interact freely with their parents; discuss what’s happening in their lives and experiences in new food stuff. It is important to note that it is not only about meal times but it includes even the preparation of food and the table setting process. The family involvement in all these roles will go a long way in shaping the mindset and feelings about the food taken. Doctor Akoury says that it is at the dinner table where your commitment to modeling your children is demonstrated. When you don’t eat together you may not be able to cultivate that culture of healthy feeding habits in your children. The consequences of this is not just about being obese but includes all the futility that comes with being overweight and obese. I encourage you to take the meal time at a family level seriously and be a role model for your children.

Importance of Family meals and mindful eating: Social changes affecting family meal times

  • Increased working hours and work load in places of work
  • The increase in population of people living alone
  • Number of women (particularly mothers) in office employment
  • Number of single parent households and/or family displacement
  • Use of technological gadgets in the household
  • The portion of income we spend on food and drink away from the home

Importance of Family meals and mindful eating: Benefits associated with frequent family meal times

  • Improved relationships between family members
  • Increased intake of healthy foods and healthier eating habits
  • Increased understanding of social behaviors
  • Improved speech for children
  • Better mental health outcomes
  • Decreased risk of children taking up smoking, drugs or having problems with the law.

Importance of Family meals and mindful eating: What you can do

  • If you’re not already eating together regularly, aim to do so just one night a week for a start.
  • If dinnertime is too hard to get everyone together, try to have a special family breakfast on the weekends or a family lunch.
  • During the week, don’t worry if everyone can make it. Sit with whoever is at home to enjoy a meal.
  • Ignore all phones, turn off the TV and ban texting at the table.
  • At a loss for conversation? Ask each family member to share one good thing and one bad thing that happened during their day.
  • Take turns talking so no one is left out. Use an egg timer for little kids if they tend to ramble!
  • Get your children involved in the meal preparation. Older kids can take charge of the whole meal, while younger ones can help set the table.
Importance of Family meals and mindful eating: Mindful eating

It is not uncommon these days to be constantly grazing on food without taking time to enjoy a full meal this is certainly not mindful eating. Often pre-packaged, these convenience foods are high in nutrients linked to increased risk of diet related diseases. And because many of us are poor in keeping time majority of us are eating hurriedly or in front of our computers surprisingly, such feedings are often not propelled by hunger. Instead, we should be choosing to eat mindfully; bringing our attention and focus to the present moment. Practicing mindful eating can help to bring back an appreciation and enjoyment of food.

Sit at the dinner table for your meal – It’s important to pay attention while eating, rather than grazing mindlessly. Put the phone down, log off your computer, turn off the TV and enjoy your food. That way, you’ll be less likely to overeat. Take the time to talk to family members about their lives and have a conversation. A meal should be a positive and enjoyable time for all. This way you will be avoiding certain health conditions associated with over eating.

Rate your hunger level – If your child says they’re hungry, ask them to rate their hunger level on a scale of 1-10 with one being very hungry, 5 being satisfied and 10 being so full that they feel sick. Do this throughout the meal and if they are not hungry, don’t force them to eat a whole meal. If your child is hungry, they will keep eating. Encourage them to stop eating once they rate their hunger as 5 and not to keep eating until they reach level 10.

Let kids serve themselves – If your child is old enough, allow them to serve themselves how much they would like to eat. While you can provide guidance so that they have enough veggies on their plate, allow them to decide how much will fill them up.

Encourage slow eating – Set the pace for the meal by eating slowly yourself. Take time to chew food properly and put your cutlery down before each mouthful. Aim to take at least 20 to 30 minutes to finish eating your meal. Make this a rule so your children know they will be sitting there for 30 minutes so they might as well eat their food slowly instead of rushing off to see what’s on TV or check their phones.

Discuss the food – At the dinner table, discuss how much you like or dislike a certain food. Ask your child to describe the taste or texture and if they don’t like it, encourage them to explain why that’s the case.

Make nutritious snacks easy to access – By having fruits in bowls on your kitchen bench or vegetable sticks cut up and in the fridge, your child is more likely to eat these foods. Stock your pantry and fridge with nutritious snacks.

Importance of Family meals and mindful eating: why do they matter?

 

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Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration

February 6, 2015

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: The Risk of Children being Underweight

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration. this should be the concern for all parents if we are to bring up healthy children

We have been discussing issues touching on weight again and obesity for some time now. All that we have said are actually very useful if we desire to remain in good health. In this article however, we want to change the flow of weight gain and look at the direct opposite. In other words when children grow they tend to respond to the environment differently. Many children up on reaching a given age may without notice show signs of dislike for food. In fact statistics has it that four out of five parents are very concern about the feeding habits of their children. Ordinarily it is not very usual for a child to like a given food today and wake up tomorrow disliking the same. Nonetheless children often rejects taste of certain food mainly because of behavioral issues, the child had eaten somewhere or just being honest that particular food is not their favorite. Whichever the child’s reason, food is very important in the general growth and development of our children. To avoid instances where instead of dealing with obesity, we are going to deal with instance of underweight, we want to address the issues surrounding the possible remedies for children fussy eating and hydration. Doctor Dalal Akoury is speaking to us about the possible working ways through which we can address this concern.  While it may be true that a child who refuses food may be trying to assert independence to see how you will react, this kind of behavior must be dealt with professionally less we end up with health conditions which are associated to underweight. Doctor Akoury shares the following heath tips to help you keep fit and healthy.

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: Here are some tips to cope with fussy eating behaviors

  • To ensure that your child feeds well, it is very important that everyone who feeds your child agrees on how to deal with your child’s requests and refusals. For instance, you may opt for a 20 minute time limit on mealtimes to prevent them dragging on, or you may decide that any requests for a different meal will be not met. The same guidelines should also be adopted by those who help your child at mealtimes so it’s persistently reinforced.
  • Staying composed in dealing with your child’s food fussiness is very ideal. The more fuss that is made in return and the more emotional you get, the more charged meal time will become and your child will realize their behavior is getting the attention they desire. By remaining calm, you will help to diffuse the situation and your child will realize their behavior isn’t getting them any extra attention.
  • As the children grow up to teenage shift the plan a bit and serve them equal portions as the rest of the family. Remember that it’s best to avoid getting stuck in the habit of taking special requests.
  • Spending some time with your children while eating can be very splendid in many ways. Therefore it is important to make meal times a happy time for the family. Noting that when it becomes stressful the child may not enjoy it and neither will you do.
  • Be consistent even if the child rejects certain food stuff. Ordinarily children will take up to ten trials before they can start enjoying the new food.
  • A little trick can work well for you when introducing new menu. Do this when the child is hungry, at this time it is possible that they will make effort to eat something new on an empty stomach.
  • Remain firm and do not offer a replacement food if what you offer is rejected. However when the child is sick don’t starve the child because they won’t starve themselves either.

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: Children & hydration

Having looked at certain reasons why children may refuse to eat and what needs to be done. We want to look at another segment that can cause real health problems if not addressed in children. Water is life for real and the human body is 70% water. This priceless commodity has many important functions in the body, including;

  • Regulating your body’s temperature
  • Digesting food and
  • Excreting waste

Your body loses water throughout the day when you sweat, breathe and urinate. These lose needs to be replaced from time to time to prevent you from becoming dehydrated. Did you know that children are at a greater risk of dehydration than adults? This is because in relation to their size, children have a larger proportion of their skin available to lose sweat and be exposed to heat. Additionally, children don’t always recognize that they’re thirsty, and if they’re not encouraged and reminded may forget to drink. Luckily, there are a few ways to tell if your child is hydrated. Remember that a dehydrated child will most likely suffer the consequences associated with weight health conditions.

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: How do I know if my child is hydrated?

Frequent bathroom breaks or wet nappies are the easiest way to tell if your child is hydrated. You can also look out for these common symptoms of dehydration:

  • Headaches
  • Poor concentration
  • Thirst
  • Cracked lips
  • Dry mouth
  • Constipation
  • Lethargy
  • Dark urine
Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: How much water does my child need?

Like I had mention water is life, therefore the amount your child needs will depend on their age, size and level of activity. For children under 8 years of age, at least 4-6 glasses of water are recommended. For children older than 8 years of age a minimum of 6-8 glasses is recommended.

If your child is playing sports or is very active they will need extra fluid, see our section on hydration for active kids. Kids will also need more fluid on hot days or when unwell.

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: Tips to help your kids stay hydrated!
  • Pack a water bottle for school and when you go out. Try a frozen water bottle in summer.
  • Encourage your child to drink water before, after and during physical activity
  • Always offer water with meals and snacks
  • Encourage your child to drink water, even if they don’t like it!

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: Tips for kids who don’t like water

  • Try adding slices of fruits such as lemon or orange to water, for variety and flavor.
  • Let your kids choose their own drink bottle or serve water in colorful glasses or jugs.
  • Be a role model! Make a point of drinking water with your kids.
  • Experiment with temperature; try having a jug of water in the fridge, adding ice-cubes, or even warm water in winter.

Water is the best choice to keep your kids hydrated throughout the day. It contains no extra energy and can quench your thirst. Other fluids such as milk, juice and sweetened drinks can also contribute to your child’s fluid intake. Remember to schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury for professional input in case of underweight or overweight in your children as a result of their feeding habits.

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: The Risk of Children being Underweight

 

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How to involve your family in eating healthy

November 9, 2014

How to involve your family in eating healthy – The role of Parents

Healthy food

We all ore each other the duty of care to bring up healthy families. How to involve your family in eating healthy food will depend on whether you are practicing the same or not

There is a wise saying that state “charity begins at home” and I can bet that you are not hearing it for the first time from me. making refence to this I want us to explore on the possibilities of using family as the first unit of learning and practicing healthy living by adopting healthy feeding habits. Collectively as members of family we ore each other the duty of care to seeing that what we feed on is healthy and beneficial to our wellbeing. The holy book also state in one of the verses that teach a child on the ways to follow and when they grow up they will not depart from it. If you look keenly on the rate of obesity and overweight, you will realize that it is almost becoming out of hand. I ask is it because we were not taught well on healthy living? If so a time has come when we must do things differently and live up to standard with the required weight that will not bring health complications in out health.

Therefore collectively as family irrespective of your position in that family (whether you have a toddler, a teen or adult) we must observe the following strategies to improve nutrition and encourage smart eating habits:

  • Serve a variety of healthy foods and snacks.
  • Be a role model by eating healthy yourself.
  • Have regular family meals.
  • Involve kids in the process.
  • Avoid battles over food.

I am not saying that eating well will be easy the truth is it will be hard because different members of the family schedules are hectic and grab-and-go convenience food is readily available. However busy your household schedule may be try to consider the following strategies:

Family Meals

Family meals are a comforting ritual for both parents and kids. Children like the predictability of family meals and parents get a chance to catch up with their kids at the table. Kids who take part in regular family meals are also:

  • More likely to eat fruits, vegetables, and grains
  • Less likely to snack on unhealthy foods
  • Less likely to smoke, use marijuana, or drink alcohol

The family meals offer the parents an opportunity to introduce their kids to new foods and to be role models for healthy eating.

Parents need to be very careful when handling teens because in many cases they are likely to turn up their noses at the prospect of a family meal not surprising because they’re busy and want to be more independent. Nonetheless studies have established that teens will still want their parents’ advice and counsel, this should be a motivation for parents to use mealtime as a chance to reconnect. You may also want to consider the following tips:

  • Allow your kids to invite a friend to dinner.
  • Involve your child in meal planning and preparation.
  • Keep mealtime calm and friendly no lectures or arguing.

What counts as a family meal? – Whenever you and your family eat together, whether it’s takeout food or a home-cooked meal with all the trimmings. Endeavor for nutritious food and a time when everyone can be there. This may mean re-scheduling time for eating dinner a little later to accommodate a teen who’s at sports practice. It also can mean setting aside time on the weekends when it may be more convenient to gather as a group, such as for Sunday brunch.

Stock Up on Healthy Foods

Kids, especially younger ones, will eat mostly what’s available at home. That’s why it’s important to control the supply lines the foods that you serve for meals and have on hand for snacks. The following basic guidelines may be helpful:

  • Work fruits and vegetables into the daily routine – aiming for the goal of at least five servings a day. Be sure you serve fruit or vegetables at every meal.
  • Make it easy for kids to choose healthy snacks – by keeping fruits and vegetables on hand and ready to eat. Other good snacks include low-fat yogurt, peanut butter and celery, or whole-grain crackers and cheese.
  • Serve lean meats and other good sources of protein – such as fish, eggs, beans, and nuts.
  • Choose whole-grain breads and cereals – so kids get more fiber.
  • Limit fat intake – by avoiding fried foods and choosing healthier cooking methods, such as broiling, grilling, roasting, and steaming. Choose low-fat or nonfat dairy products.
  • Limit fast food and low-nutrient snacks – such as chips and candy. But don’t completely ban favorite snacks from your home. Instead, make them “once-in-a-while” foods, so kids don’t feel deprived.
  • Limit sugary drinks – such as soda and fruit-flavored drinks. Serve water and low-fat milk instead.

Be a Role Model

This brings us to the wise saying and the quote from the holy book stated above. Therefore the best way for you to encourage healthy eating is to eat well yourself. Remember that kids will follow the lead of the adults they see every day. By eating fruits and vegetables and not overindulging in the less nutritious stuff, you’ll be sending the right message hone for your kids.

Another way to be a good role model is to serve appropriate portions and not overeat. Talk about your feelings of fullness, especially with younger children. You might say, “this is delicious, but I’m full, so I’m going to stop eating.” Similarly, parents who are always dieting or complaining about their bodies may foster these same negative feelings in their kids. Try to keep a positive approach about food.

Get Kids Involved
  • Most kids will enjoy deciding what to make for dinner.
  • Talk to them about making choices and planning a balanced meal.
  • Some might even want to help shop for ingredients and prepare the meal.
  • At the store, teach kids to check out food labels to begin understanding what to look for.
  • In the kitchen, select age-appropriate tasks so kids can play a part without getting injured or feeling overwhelmed. And at the end of the meal, don’t forget to praise the chef.
  • School lunches can be another learning lesson for kids. More important, if you can get them thinking about what they eat for lunch, you might be able to help them make positive changes.
  • Brainstorm about what kinds of foods they’d like for lunch or go to the grocery store to shop together for healthy, packable foods.

Doing this may not be easy if you’re are already struggling with your own poor eating habit and so seeking professional help from doctor Dalal Akoury will benefits you greatly. Doctor Akoury is weight loss professional and also an expert in nutrition. She founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center a facility in whose sole objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. Her practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. You may want to schedule for an appointment with her today for real time solution to all your queries.

How to involve your family in eating healthy – The role of Parents

 

 

 

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