MYFOXNY.COM - Jake Ross is a coordinator for HealthCorps, a proactive health movement founded by heart surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz. HealthCorps fights the obesity and mental resilience crisis by getting American students and communities across the country to take charge of their health. Jake answered questions online as well as on Fox 5 News. Here is a summary of the questions and answers.
Q: What does HealthCorps do? How many schools participate?
A: HealthCorps is non-profit organization that is battling the obesity and diabetes epidemics by getting into high schools and focusing on nutrition, mental resilience, and physical fitness. There are 50 schools in 9 states.
Q: What are some basic tips to get my teens to eat more veggies? It's such a challenge.
A: It can definitely be a challenge! There is no reason that vegetables don't have to taste good! Incorporating them into home-made smoothies, baked sweet potatoes, or even vegetable stir fry, makes it much easier to develop good habits.
Q: If you had to pick 3 snack items to pack with my kid's lunch, what would they be?
A: It's so important to be a good influence on your children so their lunch is a great place to start. Fresh fruit, peanut butter, or whole-grain pretzels can really help lead them in the right direction.
Q: My children constantly ask me to order pizza or take them out to a fast food restaurant. How can I turn them away from such fatty foods and towards healthier choices?
A: It sometimes is tough to break habits such as eating unhealthy foods. A great idea would be to make your own homemade pizza with a whole wheat crust and fresh ingredients. You can find various recipes online but it is a great way to get your kids excited about eating healthy.
Q: I live in an apartment with two children. What can we do to keep active, since we don't have a back yard?
A: Being active does not have to require a lot of space. You also don't have to spend a lot of money for a gym membership. You can do pushups, sit-ups, and flexibility exercises, such as yoga, and that is a great start. Once a week, you can all travel to a convenient park and play various games for outdoor activity! Have fun! That's the key!
Q: I was just wondering what you would suggest to a college kid whose roommates frequently fill the fridge with unhealthy foods. I have tried to buy rice milk, but they make fun of me. What should I do?
A: You can initiate the change. You seem like you already know what makes foods healthy and unhealthy so being proactive and spreading the word to your roommates can help immensely.
Q: I confess. I'm a chocoholic. I keep chocolates in my freezer and snack on them late at night, usually when I watch TV. Any suggestions on how to stop?
A: When food is available to you, it very difficult not to eat them! Keeping healthier snacks in your house will allow to always make the better decision for snacks.
Q: What you would suggest to a college student who maintains a strict diet, with only sparse traces of fatty foods and unhealthy carbs, yet has trouble following through with exercise, because he is addicted to video games?
A: If you play a lot of videogames, it seems like you can definitely have a way to interact with other people for motivation. I can't stress the enough the benefits of having someone to help along the way. Get out there! Good luck.
Q: I used to run a few miles a day with a friend. He always slowed me down. Should I get a different running partner?
A: I never suggest finding a new running partner. You can be a great motivator to him or her to becoming more fit, which it seems like you are. They will thank you for it.
Q: I usually put salt in my coffee. Is that normal? Can that lead to high blood pressure?
A: Added salt to any food can increase the risk for higher blood pressure. However, sugar definitely has its detriments as well. If you lower your salt consumption, you can definitely see benefits in your life.
Q: I always keep a pack of candy in the car. What would you suggest instead for long car rides?
A: That is a great question because when driving for a long time, it seems easy to stop for fast food and unhealthy snacks. Planning ahead and packing healthy snacks such as trail mix, granola bars, or low sugar cereal can make the drive much more bearable.
Q: What advice do you have some someone who's just starting a new fitness regime?
A: The key is to not be discouraged. When you're starting something new it can be very difficult to keep to the new program but setting realistic but specific goals will make it much more attainable. Another really important aspect is to team up with someone to get extra motivation.
Q: What's the most rewarding thing about your job?
A: The most rewarding thing about my job is having students come up to me and say "Hey Jake, I made a change and I am seeing significant difference in my lifestyle." Whatever they learn, having them
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