March is National Kidney Month, making it a great time to take charge of your health to lower your chances of developing kidney disease. Your kidneys filter your blood to remove waste and extra water to create urine. They also make vital hormones that produce red blood cells, promote bone health and regulate your blood pressure. As such, the kidneys play a vital role in your body.
Today, 37 million Americans are affected by kidney disease – and most won’t have symptoms unless their kidneys fail. There are numerous physical signs of kidney disease, but most people attribute them to other conditions. If you have one of these risk factors, you may be at risk of kidney disease:
It’s even more critical to understand your kidney health amid the pandemic. Kidney disease increases your risk of developing life-threatening complications from COVID-19.
Your kidneys work hard for you, so it’s essential to take good care of them. Consider the following tips:
Contact your doctor for more information about kidney health and warning signs.
Snacking has a bad reputation, but it can be an important part of healthy diet. It comes down to choosing healthy snacks and watching portion sizes.
Nutrition is key to a healthy lifestyle. Snacking on healthy bites during the day offers the following benefits:
Don’t snack right before a meal, and only eat a snack if you are truly hungry. Try incorporating the five healthy desk snacks below into your meal plan.
Tax season is here, so if you haven’t done so already, it’s time to gather all the appropriate information you need to file your 2021 tax returns. The federal tax deadline is April 18, 2022. Many people elect to file their tax returns electronically. This can be done in various ways, such as using tax preparation software or consulting a tax return professional. If you are filing with a paper form, there are certain documents you must be sure to include.
There is a myriad of tax documentation you may need, depending on your employment status over the past year. It’s critical to consult with a tax professional with specific questions about your tax-filing situation.
Makes: 6 servings
Ingredients
2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
4 Tbsp. flour
2 cups low-fat milk
2 cups low-fat shredded cheddar cheese
½ tsp. black pepper
2 cups broccoli (cooked and chopped)
Preparations
Cook the macaroni following the package instructions.
Drain the cooked macaroni and return to the pot.
While the macaroni is still warm, sprinkle in the flour and stir thoroughly.
Over medium heat, slowly stir the milk into the macaroni.
Add the cheese and black pepper.
Stir over medium heat until the milk and cheese thicken into a creamy sauce, about 7 to 10 minutes.
Stir in the broccoli. Heat thoroughly.
Taste and add a small amount of salt, if needed.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Total calories: 280
Total fat: 4 g
Protein: 19 g
Sodium: 277 mg
Carbohydrate: 40 g
Dietary fiber: 3 g
Saturated fat: 2 g
Total sugars: 5 g
Source: MyPlate
This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. Readers should contact a health professional for appropriate advice. © 2022 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.
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