Eat Slow, Lose Weight

Speed eating is out; mindful eating is in. The reasons are many: Slowing down can help you drop pounds as well as improve digestion and overall health.

So, stop gobbling and start savoring the flavor. How to put on the breaks? Here are five tips from Triangle dieticians:

• Dine in a relaxed atmosphere.
• Use smaller plates and utensils.
• Determine to spend 20 to 30 minutes enjoying each meal.
• Take three deep breaths before you start chewing.
• Put your fork down between bites.

Down the Drain

Hair loss is an issue that will affect up to 60 percent of Triangle women at some point. What to do? Start by working with a healthcare provider to identify why your hair is thinning.

The most common cause is alopecia, a genetic condition in which new hair shafts grow in progressively thinner. If you have this disease, improvements may result from various treatments, including the topically applied Rogaine and the pill Propecia.

Sometimes, though, thinning is triggered by a specific event, such as childbirth or a stressful situation. In this case, you'll discover sudden, all-over shedding. Once the trauma passes, your hair will grow back within a few months.

If the problem can be traced to a thyroid imbalance, dietary deficiency or a specific medication, your tresses will most likely return to their former glory once the underlying issue is addressed.

Floss Like You Mean It

Flossing may help maintain your luminous smile, but there's not a lot of research about how to do it well. We asked dental hygienists in the Triangle for their best advice, and here's what we learned:

• Waxed vs. unwaxed, ribbon vs. string? All personal preference.
• Floss first and then brush, says our favorite hygienist, but it's not a hard and fast rule.
• Flossing at night helps to prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease. You get extra points for repeating in the morning.
• Don't saw back and forth. Instead, introduce the floss at the top of a tooth and bring it down, then gently guide it along the curve of the gum line at the base. Remove it and find an unused length for your next pearly white.