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You want to make the best choices you can for your family, so you choose foods you think are healthy. These products are usually labeled "all natural," "naturally sweetened," or "gluten free." These choices are a good thing — right? 

Unfortunately, those big, bold claims on the front of the packaging don't tell the whole story. 

Sugar from a natural source (e.g., honey, agave, maple syrup) has the same effect on our bodies as white cane sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. These sweeteners can:

• Suppress your immune system
• Increase the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease
• Cause tooth decay and...

These gluten-free carrot oat bran muffins could be a great way to start the day or satisfy an afternoon hunger pang. Substituting apple sauce for oil cuts calories and fat and adds flavor. Your family will love them. 

12 muffins

You have choices when it comes to your colorectal cancer screening. Doctors now recommend colon screening for those of us over the age of 45. If you're younger than 45 and experiencing any of these common symptoms of colon cancer (e.g., change in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, seeing blood in your stool), talk with your doctor about scheduling a screening. 

Need another reason to get screened? If colorectal cancer is found before it has the chance to spread, the five-year relative survival rate is about 90%, according to the American Cancer Society. Therefore, if...

Heading to the hospital with your child? Maybe they need an IV placed or need to stay as an inpatient for a few days? Both you and your child are probably pretty stressed about the whole thing. But help is on the way! Our Children's Medical Center has certified child life specialists to help your family cope with a potentially stressful health care experience. 

So … what is a child life specialist? According to the Association of Child Life Professionals, these heroes among us help infants, children, youth, and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of illness, injury, trauma, disability...

Is it possible to make an upcoming vaccine or blood draw easier for your child? Yes! Needle sticks, whether they be for vaccines or a blood test, can cause fear and pain for both you and your child. But there is help, and the Children’s Medical Center is spreading the word about ways to make pokes easier. 

Your role as the parent is to help advocate to lessen the physical pain, reduce the fear or stress your child is having, and be a voice for your child. Try some of these simple tools to make the needle stick experience better. 

Download our Making Pokes Hurt Less sheet.

Numb the Skin to Lessen

If someone in your life has diabetes, you know how hard it can be to manage, especially after first getting the diagnosis. You want to support your loved one as they work toward learning about diabetes and controlling their disease. 

But it’s important to make sure the support you’re offering is help they want and need. Well-intentioned advice and reminders about diet and exercise may have a negative impact on their behavior and self-image, and your relationship. 

A person with diabetes needs to make their own decisions about how to cope with the disease and its physical and emotional effects...

There’s nothing easy about a difficult diagnosis, such as a serious disease or chronic condition. Your life path and outlook change when you hear words like cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease, multiple sclerosis or dementia applied to you. The same emotions may apply if you have a loss of vision, hearing or mobility. 

It can feel like you're being forced on a frightening journey with an uncertain destination. Or you may suddenly have a much clearer idea of what your future will be like. While some illnesses or conditions may have a resolution after treatment, others continue for...