Be aware of safe food practices while visiting fairs and festivals during the summer.

August is fair season which brings a fun time to bond with friends. Many good memories made in the barns, show ring and riding the carnival rides. Another important and traditional part of fair is the food. Michigan State University Extension recommends washing your hands before eating whether it is at home, a fair or a festival. There are precautions that can be taken to help you navigate the challenges of eating safe food at a fair.

A carefully structured, moderate physical activity program helped vulnerable older people maintain their mobility. The study shows that exercise can benefit even many frail older people.

People who lose mobility as they age have higher rates of disease, disability, and death. Studies have shown the benefits of regular physical activity for a variety of populations and health conditions. But none has identified a specific intervention to prevent mobility disability.

Learn more about some of the most common bacteria, toxins, viruses, and parasites in food

Vomiting. Diarrhea. Cramps. Food poisoning is no fun. In most cases, your body will heal itself as long as you drink plenty of fluids until the GI problems clear up.

What do the studies show?

 “The data are pretty compelling that we should basically cut out sugar-sweetened beverages,” says Frank Sacks, professor of cardiovascular disease prevention at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Sugary drinks—soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, fruit drinks, and sweetened teas—are a double whammy.

Cooking outdoors was once only a summer activity shared with family and friends. Now more than half of Americans say they are cooking outdoors year round. So whether the snow is blowing or the sun is shining brightly, it's important to follow food safety guidelines to prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying and causing foodborne illness. Use these simple guidelines for grilling food safely.

Whether it’s mowing the lawn, working in the garden or washing the car, we spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer months. When you're outside in the heat, it’s important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. We need fluids to keep our bodies properly cooled. Without ample water, you can experience muscle cramping, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke.

If you want to plan a top-notch menu, keep balance, variety, and moderation in mind!

In warm-weather months, who doesn’t love to get outside for picnics, backyard gatherings, and of course delicious foods? But high temperatures raise your chance of getting sick from things you eat. Learn how to handle food properly to avoid the misery of food poisoning.

Summer is here and many families are getting ready to enjoy a few days or weeks away from home. Whether it’s time at the lake, camping in the woods, or a trip to visit friends and family members, summer vacations can be both healthful and fun.

Do you need to lose weight? Have you been thinking about trying a weight-loss program? Diets and programs that promise to help you lose weight are advertised everywhere—through magazines and newspapers, radio, TV, and websites. Are these programs safe? Will they work for you?

This fact sheet provides tips on how to identify a weight-loss program that may help you lose weight safely and keep the weight off over time. It also suggests ways to talk to your health care provider about your weight.