Healthy snacking habits don't have to take a break just because school is out for the summer.

Shannon O'Meara, a registered dietitian with Orlando Health Center for Health Improvement, says pairing protein with fiber between meals can help keep kids feeling full. Foods like beans, nuts, seeds, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, lean meats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains all fit the bill.

"Healthy eating can be fun and this is a normal thing and it's not just something that's associated with going to school," O'Meara said.

One of her top tips is to make healthy snacks easy to grab. Cutting or prepping vegetables and fruit soon after buying them means they're ready when hunger hits.

Simple combinations like apple slices and peanut butter work well, and getting kids involved in building their own snacks can help teach them why eating the right foods matters.

"How can we encourage healthy eating, not as a punishment as maybe some people think about, but really is, 'I feel so good when I eat these foods,'" O'Meara said.

Making snacks fun is another approach O'Meara recommends. Themed options like "ants on a log," which is celery, peanut butter and raisins, or a healthy "dirt cup" made with Greek yogurt, berries and chia seeds, tend to be a hit with kids.

A kid-friendly charcuterie board or a "snackle" box, which works just like a tackle box but is filled with a variety of healthy foods, are other options families can try.

"If it is a burden for you, let's say you're not super kitchen savvy, you know, just do what you're able to," O'Meara said.

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BATON ROUGE — An FDA recall of multiple flavors of Zapp's chips and Dirty South potato chips has been upgraded to the most severe recall category due to the potential presence of Salmonella.

Earlier in the year, the FDA asked consumers not to eat and discard Zapp's Bayou Blackened Ranch, Salt and Vinegar and Big Cheezy chips, with Dirty South Sour Cream and Onion, Maui Onion and Salt and Vinegar potato chips also affected. Around 600,000 bags are affected.

Now, the FDA has increased the warning to a Class I, which they classify as having a "reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death." 

The chips, which are made by Utz, and the FDA said that seasoning containing dry milk powder, supplied by a third party, may contain Salmonella.

All of the impacted chips have best-by dates between July 27 and Aug. 31.

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BATON ROUGE — A new survey from Ohio State shows one in seven people do not have a primary care doctor and one in three have not had a checkup in the past year.

That means millions of people are missing out on the wellness benefits of regular visits to a medical professional.

Grant Bunting knows that reality well. He struggled to manage his type 2 diabetes even after weight loss surgery and taking up running, and a blood sugar spike put him in a coma for 11 days.

"I should have died," Bunting said.

While learning to walk again, he knew he needed help and could not manage his health on his own.

That's where Dr. Zachary Bittinger came in. "There's nobody that's in your corner more than your primary doctor," Dr. Bittinger said.

Dr. Bittinger started with Bunting's diet and exercise, then brought in pharmacist Jamie Bailey to help Bunting consistently monitor his glucose level and manage it with medication.

"We meet people wherever they are with their health and take care of them on a long-term basis," Dr. Bittinger said.

Primary care can monitor screenings and vaccinations, track medical history and help with balanced diet and exercise plans. Dr. Bittinger said primary care teams are well positioned to provide that kind of personalized approach.

"I want everybody to have somebody they trust, have a primary doctor that they can call with anything," Dr. Bittinger said.

That approach made a difference for Bunting. "I would even say having a primary care team is extremely important," he said.

Bunting now maintains a normal blood sugar and weight, giving him the confidence and accountability to prepare for his next run. "To get across that finish line with a smile on my face," he said.

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Sunglasses do more than complete a summer look — they protect the eyes and the skin around them from sun damage.

Ophthalmologist Dr. Nicole Bajic said UV exposure can lead to serious conditions.

"There are many types of conditions that can be caused from significant UV exposure," said Bajic. "Particularly, the most concerning is skin cancers. And so, it's so important to make sure you're protecting that area. Photokeratitis, solar retinopathy, all these things can also be affected."

When it comes to picking the right pair, experts say the price tag is not what matters — it is the type of lenses.

A pair with 100 percent UV protection, sometimes labeled UV 400, is what doctors recommend. Polarized lenses are another option and are popular with athletes because they help reduce sun glare.

Bigger lenses may not be the most fashionable choice, but doctors say they offer better protection because they cover more of the delicate skin around the eyes.

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BATON ROUGE — LSU researchers are seeking families to participate in a home-based research study on ways to reduce asthma symptoms in children.

The research studies asthma in children and researchers want families to get involved. Tavius Turner, a student in the program, spoke with April Davis on 2une In about how families can participate.

To qualify, the family must have a child between 5 and 17 years old with a diagnosed case of asthma.

Families who join the study will get guidance on identifying asthma triggers in the home along with tips for managing an asthma-friendly environment. 

During the study, participants will host a small air monitor in their home and use an air purifier and vacuum provided by the study. They will also complete brief surveys and check-ins over 4 months and work with LSU staff to track results and study progress. Participants receive a HEPA filter vacuum and air purifier to keep at the end of the study.

All information collected throughout the study is confidential and used only for research purposes.

Families interested in participating can call or text 225-286-1723 or email breathestudy@lsu.edu.

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BATON ROUGE- A new survey from Maven Clinic's Research Institute reveals that the healthcare system has long failed to treat women as whole people, with some of the clearest gaps showing up in GLP-1 and hormone care.

The research, conducted by Beyond the Script, looked at how women experience care across different life stages and what providers say about their ability to deliver it.

Among women surveyed, 54% said they suspected their symptoms were connected but were treated as separate problems. Only 19% said their hormones are always taken into consideration in care related to their reproductive life stage.

Around 47% of women said having one provider who understands their whole health would most improve their care. Nearly half, 46%, have tried a health product based on non-clinical recommendations.

The survey adds that 37% of women who used medications for weight, metabolism or hormones said the care felt limited, inconsistent or lacked meaningful follow-up.

Providers are also feeling the strain, with 41% saying they don't have enough time to adequately support patients after prescribing GLP-1s.

Seventy-three percent of providers often see patients with symptoms spanning hormonal, metabolic and mental health, yet fewer than half say their training left them fully equipped to treat those conditions together.

Dr. Janelle Duah, Associate Medical Director at Maven Clinic, spoke with 2une In's April Davis about the findings.

Duah is a triple board-certified, Yale-trained, internal medicine physician who specializes in metabolic health, obesity medicine and women's health.

For women who feel frustrated or unheard when it comes to healthcare, Dr. Duah says you can advocate for yourself. She spoke about her personal experience as a patient.

"I mentioned having to jump from doctor to doctor," Duah said. "Over half of women say that when they're in an encounter with a healthcare provider, they feel dismissed. So it's not in your head and neither are your symptoms. Women have a really good inclination for understanding when things might be wrong. We want to trust our instinct. We want to act on that instinct, and we want to advocate for ourselves. Come prepared to appointments. It might take a second opinion, a third opinion, a fourth opinion to get to that right provider who actually listens and who actually cares and wants to give you more than just a prescription."

Maven Clinic was founded in 2014 by Kate Ryder and partners with more than 2,300 employers and health plans. Through its consumer platform, Maven provides virtual care across 30 or more specialties, as well as dedicated hormone and GLP-1 care programs built specifically for women.

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Melanoma accounts for a small number of skin cancer diagnoses in the U.S. but causes the most deaths from the disease and new research suggests an mRNA vaccine could help change that.

The American Cancer Society says those who survive melanoma are also more likely to develop it again. Results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine given after tumors are surgically removed cut the risk of melanoma death or recurrence by 49 percent when combined with immunotherapy.

Dr. Rajesh Muralee Nair, a surgical oncologist with Orlando Health, called the new research at New York University "a huge breakthrough."

"The mainstay of melanoma treatment is immune-based therapy," Nair said. "It really revolutionized the outcomes for patients with advanced-stage disease, but unfortunately, a large number will still face recurrence and ultimately death."

mRNA technology was first FDA-approved for emergency use in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic but has been studied for decades. Nair says current immunotherapy treatments allow the immune system to recognize cancer cells, but those cells can change.

He says the research is showing that adding the experimental mRNA vaccine can identify a unique pattern in each patient's tumor.

"It's designed to allow our immune system to identify parts of the cancer cells in multiple different ways to attack it," Nair said, "and thus develop kind of a really unique and individualized treatment for that specific patient."

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Summer heat, sweat and sun exposure can trigger a range of skin conditions, according to a dermatologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Dr. Spencer Dunaway said the season brings a combination of factors that cause skin problems to flare.

"We tend to be hotter, a little sweatier and doing activities that cause friction," Dunaway said.

One of the most common summer skin problems is acne. Dunaway says it's important to wash sweat off before it dries and to switch to a lighter moisturizer.

"Switching your nighttime cream to something a little less thick will be less likely to cause you to have an acne flare, but still provide enough moisture to protect the skin," Dunaway said.

Dry, irritated skin is another concern. Dunaway says people tend to overexfoliate and using a light moisturizer can help.

Folliculitis, which is inflammation of hair follicles that can lead to a rash, is also common in summer. Wearing looser clothing and washing sweat off the skin can help prevent it.

Melasma, a condition that causes dark, discolored facial patches, is another risk. Sun exposure, pregnancy and taking birth control pills can raise the chances of developing it.

"Protecting yourself with strong SPFs even higher than what we'd normally recommend, such as SPF 50, is really useful for people that are on birth control pills or might be pregnant during the summer," Dunaway said.

Heat rash rounds out the list. Dunaway says it's the body's alarm system that a person is overheating.

"So if you start to notice these prickly, itchy red bumps on the skin, especially on a really hot day, that's an important sign to cool yourself off, seek shade or either get in some water," Dunaway said.

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BATON ROUGE - Graduation marks a major milestone for teens, but it also signals the start of a new responsibility many are not ready for: managing their own healthcare.

A new survey found that two-thirds of youth say they would have benefited from more preparation before moving off their parents' insurance. Nearly 9 in 10 healthcare providers surveyed say the system does not adequately prepare young people to manage their care.

Susan Shanske, director of Transitional Care Support with the BRIDGES Adult Transition Program, spoke with 2une In's April Davis about what this shift looks like for teens and families.

Shanske, a licensed clinical social worker who has worked in the field for more than 25 years, said the transition to adult healthcare happens at the same time teens are taking on a lot of other responsibilities.

"Teens are graduating school, starting work, all sorts of things when they turn 18, that's a big deal," Shanske said. "They can vote, they're gonna deal with their financial pieces on their own potentially."

"Healthcare is a major place as well where decision making when you turn 18 is around who's going to consent to different procedures and who's going to get information," she added. "So there are lots of things happening for these teens all at once and healthcare is one aspect among many that we're asking them to navigate."

When it comes to insurance, Shanske said the situation varies by state and community. She noted that if a parent has a family plan through an employer, children can generally stay on that coverage until age 26.

She said young people need to understand their specific family situation, including whether they can stay on a parent's plan, whether their parents have insurance at all or whether a disability makes them eligible for federal or state insurance.

Her advice for teens taking ownership of their healthcare was straightforward.

"Be educated, practice a lot of the skills," Shanske said. "Don't show up with sort of no knowledge of what's happened before."

"Practice making your own appointments, speaking up in appointments, giving over your own health history, really paying attention to your symptoms in your body, whether you have a chronic condition or you've generally been healthy," she said. "You're going to want to practice those skills that are involved in accessing healthcare."

Shanske pointed to two resources for teens and families looking for guidance: the Got Transition national resource center and the habit-building website called Healthcare Shift.

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A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, either through a blockage in an artery or a bleed caused by a burst artery in the brain.

Both types of stroke can look similar on the surface, but the treatments are completely different depending on what caused it.

When a stroke is caused by a blockage, there are two main treatment options. The first is a clot-busting medication and the second is a procedure to physically remove the clot.

"These are what we call the endovascular procedures," the source said. "Use a guide wire through the blood vessel in the groin and thread it up to that blood vessel in the brain and snag out the blood clot and reopen the blood vessel."

When a stroke is caused by a burst or leaking blood vessel, the buildup of blood increases pressure on brain cells and damages them.

"We're going to make sure that the blood pressure is not too high," the source said. "We're going to make sure the patient's blood is not too thin. If there's too much blood flow in the brain, there might be pressure and we might need to relieve that pressure surgically."

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BATON ROUGE — The American Red Cross is preparing to respond if a hurricane threatens the U.S. and is urging households to get ready too.

WBRZ's April Davis spoke with Louisiana Red Cross Regional Communications Manager Shelby Wells at the Red Cross warehouse in Baton Rouge about what people should have on hand before a storm arrives.

"When you think about preparedness, it's about taking action before you need to, right?" Wells said. "And so people can get ready by looking at the specific needs of their households."

Wells said that means thinking about children who need diapers, formula and wipes, older family members with specific medical prescriptions and supplies and pets that need extra food, medications and leashes.

The Red Cross recommends two types of kits. A go-kit should have three days of supplies that can be carried, including backup batteries and chargers for devices like cell phones, CPAP machines and wheelchairs. A stay-at-home kit should have two weeks of food and water and, if possible, a one-month supply of medications and medical supplies.

Prescription medications are one item Wells said people often overlook.

"So those prescription medications, ensure that you have the prescription itself in paper copy and that you have a month's worth on hand in case it's hard to get to wherever you need to go," Wells said.

Wells also pointed to first aid supplies that go beyond the basics. "Burn cream or dressing. A burn. You know, often people are trying to cook, maybe the power's out," Wells said. "And so having burn cream or dressing to help with something, if you're running the generator and something happens. It's just good to have those supplies on hand."

Wells noted that instant cold packs, bandages and pain relievers are also worth having ready, especially since more people may end up sheltering together during a storm.

Pet owners should pack leashes, carriers, food, bowls, litter and photos of themselves with their pet in case they get separated.

Find a checklist of survival kit supplies here.

The Red Cross offers free apps for weather alerts, open shelter locations and first aid guidance, available in English and Spanish. Classes are also available online and in person, including a course called Until Help Arrives. 

Find the Red Cross apps here.

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BATON ROUGE — Tanning and tanning beds are making a comeback among Gen Z, ages 14 to 29, and doctors are warning it is a dangerous trend.

A new study by the American Academy of Dermatology found about 20% of Gen Z respondents said they prioritize getting a tan over protecting their skin. The trend is being blamed on online misinformation.

WBRZ's April Davis spoke with family medicine doctor Olivia Ragusa at Baton Rouge General about some of the claims circulating online.

One popular claim is that a base tan protects skin from sunburn and skin cancer. Dr. Ragusa pushed back on that and other pro-tanning ideas.

"I highly recommend don't go to the tanning bed," Ragusa said. "I'm not saying go outside and never have fun. Just always wear sunscreen, at least SPF 30, whenever you're outside, no matter if you think it is raining or sunny. You should be wearing sunscreen every single day and use alternate methods like spray tans and lotions and foams that we have on the market now."

Another online claim is that tanning clears up acne.

"The sun is not a treatment for acne," Dr. Ragusa said. "I would recommend going to see your physician in order to come up with a good regimen. But going in the sun, it actually can cause hyperpigmentation and darkening and make those acne scars worse."

Some online posts say unprotected sun exposure is necessary to get vitamin D. Ragusa said tanning is not a good way to get vitamin D and that most of it should come from diet, not baking in the sun.

Some pro-tanning accounts also claim tanning is only dangerous if a person actually gets burned.

"No, because yes, that burn is a more significant damage, but even the tan on your skin is showing up damage coming through," Dr. Ragusa said.

On the claim that sunscreen is toxic and causes cancer, Dr. Ragusa said both chemical and physical sunscreens are safe to use.

"Some are better for sensitive skin, but sunscreen is much safer than the alternative of skin cancer."

The American Academy of Dermatology survey found more than half of Gen Z adults believe at least one common tanning myth, which researchers say is directly contributing to climbing skin cancer rates among young people.

Louisiana is one of more than 20 states that ban the use of tanning beds for anyone under 18. For evidence-based guidance on how to spot viral falsehoods, visit the Skin Cancer Foundation's website here.

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A simple acronym called BEFAST can help people spot the warning signs of a stroke, doctors say. 

Each letter in BEFAST stands for a different symptom to watch for and noticing them quickly can make a real difference in outcomes, experts say.

B stands for balance, which means a sudden loss of balance or coordination.

E stands for eyes, which refers to vision problems or a sudden loss of vision in one eye.

F stands for face, so look for facial drooping or weakness.

A stands for a sudden weakness in one side of the arm or leg.

S stands for a sudden speech disturbance, such as trouble communicating or speaking.

T stands for time, as acting quickly is important. If someone might be having a stroke, it is important to call 911 right away.

Recognizing these signs and acting fast can help. Up to 90 percent of strokes may be preventable by managing risk factors and living a healthy lifestyle.

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New fathers dealing with mental health struggles often stay silent, but a Cleveland Clinic psychologist says that needs to change.

Adam Borland, a licensed clinical psychologist with the Cleveland Clinic, says becoming a dad is a major life step that requires attention and self-care. Up to 10 percent of fathers experience perinatal depression during pregnancy and the year following birth and up to 15 percent face perinatal anxiety.

"Thankfully, this is a topic that's finally getting the attention that it deserves," Borland said.

Symptoms of perinatal mental illness in fathers can include feelings of loneliness, feeling overwhelmed, withdrawing from family and questioning self-worth. Emotional and physical fatigue, poor focus and irritability are also signs and the condition can lead to substance abuse or other risky behaviors.

"Really encourage dads of all ages and all situations, it doesn't just have to be new dads, to open up and talk about what it is that they're feeling and to normalize it," Borland said.

Borland says healthy habits can make a real difference. "It's important to engage in healthy activities, exercise, creative outlets, making sure that you really separate yourself from work, stress, monitoring technology and phone usage and really prioritizing being in the moment," he said.

Others can help by creating a safe space for fathers to talk, one where there is no shame or fear of burdening anyone with their struggles. Letting them know they do not have to be perfect is also part of that support.

"This is not a weakness. This is actually a strength to recognize that, you know what, I need help as well," Borland said.

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CLEVELAND — Headphone-related hearing loss has become a growing concern and an audiologist at Cleveland Clinic is explaining how to protect your ears.

The CDC says exposure to sounds more than 85 decibels, such as headphones at maximum volume, can cause irreversible hearing loss.

"When you're talking about listening through headphones, it's all about how loud you listen, but also how long," Valerie Pavlovich Ruff said. "There's a relationship between the volume of the sound and the length of the exposure. So you can listen through headphones safely, but you definitely have to learn how to do that."

Pavlovich Ruff is an audiologist at Cleveland Clinic. She says it's generally recommended that people follow the 60-60 rule: set the volume on headphones or earbuds at 60% for about an hour.

After that, it's best to take a break for 10 or 15 minutes. Doctors say that break is still necessary even at lower volumes because it's not healthy to block ear canals for long periods of time.

Pavlovich Ruff says the danger of having something continually blocking the ear is that moisture can build up in the ear canal, which can become a breeding ground for bacteria and lead to ear infections.

She also says hearing loss from headphones can be permanent and suggests that anyone experiencing muffled hearing or ringing in the ears should talk with an audiologist.

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An estimated one in five adults lives with a mental illness and despite how common it is, many people go undiagnosed and untreated.

"It can be really difficult for people to admit that they're struggling," said Dr. Kathleen Mueller with the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Mueller says mental health and physical health are closely linked. Depression, for example, increases the risk for conditions like diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Having a chronic physical condition can also make it more likely for a mental health illness to develop.

"This is something that we need to address regularly without stigma, without barriers and so your family physician is the place to start," Mueller said.

Early warning signs of mental health conditions include eating or sleeping too much or too little, pulling away from people and usual activities and having low or no energy.

Other signs include feeling numb, unexplained aches and pains, feeling helpless or hopeless and persistent thoughts or memories that won't stop. Inability to perform daily tasks and thoughts of harming yourself or others are also warning signs.

Mueller says a primary care or family doctor can help come up with a strategy to manage symptoms.

"Maybe some increased movement, some maybe some dietary changes, maybe just having a conversation, perhaps connecting with a therapist," Mueller said, "but sometimes it just stays right there in that room and then we do a follow up and we check in and we make sure people are doing OK."

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BATON ROUGE - Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is hosting a free community health event with cancer screenings, food and music on May 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 2250 Main Street

Vice President for Mary Bird Perkins, Renea Duffin, joined 2une In's April Davis on Friday to talk about the event.

It's called Live Well Baton Rouge and is part of the Cancer Center's Prevention on the Go program. This program provides free early detection and education services across Louisiana and southwest Mississippi.

When attending, residents can get four types of cancer screenings at the event: breast, prostate, colorectal and skin cancer. Blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose checks will also be available.

Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. People can call 225-425-8034 or visit marybird.org/livewell to schedule an appointment.

"We're going to be offering cancer screenings that will save someone's life, because early detection saves lives," Duffin said. "We are seeing more and more young people being diagnosed with cancer. We are encouraging young people to take responsibility for their health."

Last year, 114 capital area residents received a total of 203 screenings and nearly 40 percent of participants reported being uninsured.

"If you are experiencing some type of symptom, or experiencing something in your body that doesn't feel right, we do encourage you to come out," Duffin said. "We will screen you, we will help make sure that if you have something abnormal, our nurse navigators will navigate you to a resolution for that abnormal finding."

For more information about cancer screening opportunities, visit marybird.org/get-screened.

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Nearly 322,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in U.S. women in 2026.

Doctors say conflicting mammogram guidelines may be causing some women to delay getting screened.

While breast cancer mainly develops in middle-aged or older women, new cases in women younger than 50 have seen a slight uptick of about 1.4 percent in recent years.

Dr. Alyssa Cubbison of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center said, "There is a different recommendation out there depending upon what literature you're citing."

Doctors use those recommendations to guide decisions on when to suggest patients start screenings.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends women start at age 40 and screen every other year.

The American Cancer Society suggests women at average risk have the option at age 40 to start annual screening, at age 45 have mammograms every year and at 55 start screening every other year or choose to continue annual screenings.

"Based on our guidelines for the American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging, we recommend starting at age 40 every year," said Cubbison.

Cubbison said the conflicting guidance may lead to delays in screening and cancers being detected at a later stage, when it's harder to treat.

She also said some women put off screening because no one in their family has had the disease.

"Most women that are diagnosed with breast cancer have no attributable family history of breast cancer," said Cubbison.

Cubbison suggests taking a risk assessment survey with a doctor around age 25.

"Knowing this can help know at what age it's most appropriate to start screening," said Cubbison.

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