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Feeling well on the web

There's no shortage of health information available on the Internet; here's a handful of sites worth checking out

By: Shamona Harnett

Posted: 10/17/2011 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

There's no shortage of health information available on the Internet.

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There's no shortage of health information available on the Internet.

The information superhighway is overcrowded with websites claiming to help you with your health.

Even so, more than 70 per cent of home Internet users regularly research their health online, according to 2010 Statistics Canada results.

Hungry for health knowledge and inspiration but don't know where to point your mouse?

Here are five of my favourite health-themed websites that will motivate you to stay well:

For the curious kid

www.kidshealth.com

 

With four main sections on this website -- one for parents, one for kids, one for teens and one for educators -- this site will help anyone looking for answers about children's health. The most innovative section of the site is the part aimed at kids. In it, Internet savvy youngsters can find info on everything from anxiety to bullying to "health problems of grown-ups." Other neat features include the "eat like a pro" series -- interviews with sport stars about their favourite healthy eating habits. (Find that in the "staying healthy" section). Kids can also check out the "how your body works section" to watch movies and take quizzes on everything from the brain to the hair and the endocrine system. Take comfort in the fact that MDs have to approve the info on this website before it's posted.

For the runner

www.runnersworld.com

 

Brought to you by Runner's World, a popular running magazine. With this website, even runners (or wannabe runners) will be inspired to either take up running or to keep at it. Find nutrition info that will help you decide your pre- and post-race eating plans. Get free, downloadable training guides for beginners and seasoned runners alike. Check out celebrity running stories, included on the website. (The Price Is Right host Drew Carey and Today Show cohost Al Roker share their inspiring running experiences). The site also offers tools such as a race finder. (With it, you can find races all over the world, including some here in Winnipeg).

 

For the trailblazer

 

www.winnipegtrails.ca

 

There are probably only a couple of more weeks left for Winnipeggers to take a walk into another world on a local trail while it's snow-free. The Winnipeg Trails Association website (put together with local walking group Prairie Pathfinders) is one of the best resources you can turn to for that, thanks to its detailed maps of more than 30 of the city's official trails. Each map offers a close-up look at a trail and the streets it intersects with. Also listed are trail length, surface type, points of interest and parking options. Each map can be downloaded in PDF form and printed -- perfect for the pockets of walkers and cyclists who want to have the info on hand while trail exploring. A newer feature: An interactive Google-based map that can be accessed on your smart phone.

 

For the health-food lover

 

www.whfoods.com

 

The website address looks like it might belong to the Whole Foods grocery chain. Rather, it's a site dedicated to "the world's healthiest foods" founded 10 years ago by the non-profit George Mateljan Foundation. Wondering why you should be eating your avocado or what exactly is in that sweet potato you're chomping on? Just type the food (fruit, veggie, spice or grain) into the website's search engine and you'll get your answer. Each item typically gets a long page of info -- everything from health benefits, history of the food, how to select, store and how to serve. Nutritional info, factoids from published studies as well as allergy concerns are also included. Look up your favourite healthy food on this site and you'll be even more eager to keep including it in your diet after you find out why it made the world's healthiest foods list.

 

For the medical headline cynic

 

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc

 

A news headline one day says that a particular food or vitamin can save your life. On another day, another news headline will claim that the same item could kill you. If you're not sure what to believe, the website commonly referred to as "pubmed central" can help you. The site contains more than two million archived scientific journal articles -- often the same articles on which science headlines in the news are based. Search by journal name, author or subject. If what you're reading is too technical for your liking, check out the article's abstract, a summary of the researchers' methods and findings.

 

Follow Shamona on Twitter: @ShamonaHarnett

Have an interesting story idea you'd like Shamona to write about? Contact her at Shamona.harnett@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 17, 2011 D1

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