Myth: If swallowed, chewing gum stays in your stomach for seven years

As a child, I remember friends saying that you shouldn’t swallow chewing gum because it stays in your stomach for seven years. The outcome of swallowing chewing gum regularly would result in a ball of gum in your stomach. I asked Jennifer Anderson, the diabetes education coordinator at Boone Hospital Center, for the truth behind [...]

The truth behind health drinks, energy drinks, and soda

As a college student, many of my friends live on carbonated-beverages, especially during midterms and finals. At the Rec Center and in vending machines, there are sports drinks, Vitaminwater, and sodas in many varieties and colors. I asked Kristy Lang, a clinical dietitian and diabetes educator at Boone Hospital Center what kinds of effects these [...]

Best foods for exercising

As a person who values an active, healthy lifestyle, I have read numerous articles on the best foods and beverages to consume before, during and after you exercise.

Myth: You should wait one hour after you eat to swim

After working as a lifeguard and swim instructor for five years, I have heard numerous times that one should wait an hour after eating to swim in order to avoid dangerous cramps. I asked Jennifer Polniak, a clinical dietitian at Boone Hospital Center for the truth behind this myth.

Myth: Eating before bed contributes to weight gain

When talking with friends and family about eating habits, I found that many people believe that eating before going to sleep contributes to gaining weight. I interviewed Judy Arnet, the clinical nutrition manager at Boone Hospital Center to find out the truth.