Christmas and New Year are festive times around the Caribbean. Here are some tips that will allow us to celebrate and enjoy the festivities, while at the same time keeping ourselves and others healthy.

• Make sure that food is thoroughly and hygienically prepared. If not being eaten right away, food should be kept piping hot, or else cooled, refrigerated and thoroughly reheated, not kept warm for hours.
  
• When eating out, observe the premises, food service workers and /or vendors for cleanliness and good food safety practices.
  
• Food at special events is rich and enjoyable. We can:-
  • Be moderate with foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt.
  • Don’t overdo with dressings and sauces.
  • Choose one or two types of meat dishes and take moderate portions.
  • Take moderate portions of cakes and dessert.
  • Enjoy plenty of vegetable dishes, peas, beans and fruit.
    
• Drink in moderation.
  • Take a bottle of water when going out, to avoid drinking too many sweet or alcoholic drinks. This is also good training for children.
  • Be moderate with sodas and “fruit drinks”, they are very high in sugar.
  • “Diet” drinks are very high in artificial sweeteners. We should be aware of this, and avoid giving them to children.
  • Excess alcohol can lead to traffic accidents, pregnancy, HIV infection, liver problems and mental illness, to name a few.
    
• HIV/AIDS is a real threat, and each new sex partner carries a risk of HIV and other STI’s (sexually transmitted infections). Pregnancy may result in an HIV infected baby who may die at a young age. People who have sex with more than one partner should always use condoms.
  
• Train ourselves and our children always to place bottles, cans, wrappers and other litter in a bin, or else keep a bag in the car for our litter. Example is the best teacher, and if children see us searching for a bin they will learn to do the same.
  
• Take exercise as often as we can. It’s easy to get out of our exercise routine during the festive season, but dancing and “jumping up” or “jamming” are also good exercise!

A happy and healthy New Year to readers.