You may not see them, but dangerous germs can be unwelcome guests at mealtime. Thousands of people die in the U.S. each year because of contaminated food. Soap
and water are your best defense against food-related illnesses. To keep germs from spreading, you should wash your hands throughout the day. Scrub them for 20 seconds – or about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. On the go, use hand sanitizer with at least a 60% alcohol base.

Clean hands are especially important when you handle food. You should make sure to clean counter tops, cutting boards, dishes and other areas where you prepare food. Never mix fresh fruits and veggies with raw meat, poultry or seafood. And don’t place cooked food back on plates that held uncooked food.

Whole grains are a very important part of a healthy, balanced diet. Barley, quinoa, wheat berries and other whole grains are full of protein, fiber, vitamins and iron your body needs. There’s also strong evidence that whole grains may lower your risk for heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

The biggest challenge may be knowing what a whole grain is and where to find it. To help you do just that, the Whole Grains Council created an official packaging symbol, called the Whole Grain Stamp, to identify whole grain-rich foods where you shop.

Americans eat a lot more calories today than they did just a few decades ago. Part of the problem is fast food and super-sized portions. Our food servings have doubled or tripled at restaurants – and even at home.

The key is to choose foods like fresh fruits and veggies. They’re packed with health benefits and fill you up, without the calories!

There are bad habits and there are bad habits. When people smoke cigarettes, cigars or pipes, they’re not just hurting themselves. Every exhale puts more than 250 dangerous chemicals into the air.

Secondhand smoke, like smoking itself, is a risk factor for four leading causes of death in the U.S. These include heart disease, cancer, respiratory illness and stroke.

Children who breathe secondhand smoke are especially at risk. They have higher rates of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems and severe asthma. So protect yourself. If someone’s blowing smoke your way, walk away. No amount of smoke is safe.