Another alert about diets high in red meat

Red meat, it appears, can do a body harm.

A study of half a million members of AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons) found that those who reported eating the most red meat were roughly 30 percent more likely to die than those who ate the least.

Nutrition experts say you don't have to go vegetarian to be a healthy eater.

But even after controlling for other diet factors, those surveyed who ate red meat in amounts less than 1½ hamburgers a week and processed meat in amounts less than one hot dog a week had a much lower risk of dying from heart disease or cancer than those who wolfed down the most - the equivalent of 10 burgers a week and a hot dog a day.

Who knew a cracker could be good for you?

The Center for Science in the Public Interest calls Triscuits "a health food dressed up as a snack food."

Reduced fat Triscuits are 100 percent whole grain, with three grams of protein, three grams of fiber, three grams of fat and 120 calories in a serving of seven crackers.

And new Hint of Salt Triscuits cut the sodium down to just 50 grams.

Pair it with an apple or low-fat cheese and you've got a healthy snack.

Head case

With football, soccer and other contact sports in full swing, health experts are warning coaches to be on the lookout for signs of concussion among young athletes.

A player might not realize he's suffered a head injury, but in case one is suspected, the Illinois Athletic Trainers and Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch suggest every high school do the following:

1. Bench the player for the game or until fully evaluated by a medical professional.

2. Have a concussion testing mechanism. This could be a series of questions and exercises, such as asking what city you're in or having the athlete repeat a series of numbers in reverse order. Or there are software programs designed to measure concussion injury and recovery.

3. Use a team approach involving the coach, trainer, doctor, parents and teachers, so symptoms aren't overlooked.

Tower power

Better start taking the stairs: the annual fundraiser for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at the former Sears Tower is coming up.

About 2,000 participants will climb 103 stories to the Willis Tower sky deck on Sunday, Nov. 15.

The Rehab Institute has been named the No. 1 rehabilitation hospital in America by U.S. News & World Report every year since 1991.

For information, check out SkyRiseChicago.org.