nycHealthy

Bobby Corrigan on Rats

New York City is taking on rats like never before. We're trying out new high-tech methods to control them in the Bronx, and just this week we launched a website that gives you – the New York City public – access to a wealth of information and advice on how to get rats off your property and out of your neighborhood.

You have to understand rats to defeat them. My goal this week is to bust many of the myths about rats that keep us from effectively reducing their numbers. When I'm out the street, gathering data or educating exterminators, I often hear myths like: "The rats are getting bigger…they're they size of cats!" Not so. The rats in New York City all belong to one species, the Norway rat. A full-grown Norway rat is typically 16 inches long (including the tail) and weighs in at 12 to 16 ounces. A rat may occasionally grow bigger, but "super rats" are pure myth. If you surprise a rat, it may "raise the hackles" to appear bigger and more intimidating, but it's a bluff. The extra size is all fur.

Cathy Nonas on Calories

How many calories did you eat yesterday? Not sure? Well, you’re not alone. Keeping track is tough, especially if you eat out a lot. Until recently, counting calories in a restaurant was like counting snowflakes in a blizzard. Almost impossible! But it’s easier now, at least here in New York City, since chain restaurants started posting calorie information on menu boards and menus.

Did you know that we spend more than half of our food budgets eating away from home – in places where it’s easy to eat too much. Calorie counting may seem like a pain but it is worth the effort. One of the surest ways to maintain a healthy weight is to learn how many calories your body needs. It’s like getting your finances under control. If you make a daily or a weekly budget, then you know what you can spend. So what’s your daily calorie budget?

Welcome to nycHealthy

nycHealthy is a blog for participants to talk to each other, and to health experts from the New York City Health Department, about health-related issues. Feel free to submit your comments and questions, but please read our Comment Policy first. We will blog on a number of health topics, so be sure to check back. Thanks.