Healthy Habits: Dr. Sneha Patel focuses on cardiovascular health

May 7, 2018 Family and community medicine, Healthy Habits, Nutrition and Wellness

Taking care of your health is a priority and nobody knows that more than physicians and healthcare providers.

It can sometimes be difficult to find ways to stay healthy, so we’ve asked members of our Baylor College of Medicine community to share what they do in their daily lives to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Sneha Patel, assistant professor of family and community medicine at Baylor, shares some of her healthy habits with us.

Q: What health decisions start your day?
A: Planning at least 30-60 minutes of my day to exercise, either before or after work.

Q: What is your go-to healthy breakfast?
A: A banana, apple and a fig bar.

Q: What is your favorite type of exercise?
A: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is very effective when I don’t have a lot of time but I also enjoy running outside and yoga or Pilates classes.

Q: What keeps you motivated during your workout?
A: Knowing that I will feel great afterwards and it is an investment in my cardiovascular health.

Q: What activities do you do when you can’t fit in a full workout?
A: Walking during my lunch break or going up and down the stairs a few times.

Q: What is your favorite healthful snack?
A: Berries, almonds, or carrots with hummus.

Q: Do you take vitamins and if so, which ones?
A: I try to get all my vitamins and nutrients with my diet but I do take vitamin D3.

Q: How do you make an unhealthy recipe healthy (healthy substitutions)?
A: Whole grain instead of refined or white. Olive oil instead of vegetable oil. Low sodium and low fat. No cream. Adding vegetables and plant based protein.

Q: What is your nighttime skin regimen?
A: I like to keep it simple. I use Neutrogena soap and their hydroboost moisturizer.

Q: What hobbies do you have to help you relax?
A: Yoga, meditation and walking my dog.

Q: What is your go-to Houston restaurant for a healthy meal?
A: Local Foods and True Food Kitchen.

Q: Do you use a pedometer or Fitbit and what is your daily step goal?
A: I have a fitbit but I don’t have a daily step goal. I focus on getting at least 30 minutes of heart rate increasing exercise daily.

Q: What is your favorite health tip that you live by?
A: Water! I drink a lot of water to stay hydrated and curb hunger.