DR. WALLACE: Recently I heard about a horrible automobile accident. A heavy-duty truck collided with a car driven by a 17-year-old girl sometime around midnight. Three teens were killed. It was reported that the teen driver had alcohol in her system. My heart sank when I read this tragic story.
Several years ago, my then-boyfriend and I went to a party where alcohol was served. We were both 18 and thought it was cool to be drinking and discussing what college we planned to attend in September. We both had about eight drinks in a three-hour span. We were not sophisticated drinkers and were quite out of it when my boyfriend decided to drive us home.
He knew he wasn't his normal self, so he drove extra slowly, trying to get us home safely. We almost made it. About 3 miles from my house, he missed a sharp curve in the car went into a ditch. If we'd been speeding, we would've been killed or seriously injured.
Since we were wearing her seatbelts, we were not injured at all, just frightened. And my boyfriend's car suffered major damage.
The accident was a blessing in disguise. I learned my lesson. I have not taken a drink since that day and I refuse to ride with a driver who is been drinking, even a small amount. Thanks for allowing me to speak my mind. I truly hope it will help other teens make good decisions when it comes to drinking and driving. —Karen, Boston, Mass.
KAREN: thanks for your inspirational message to our teen readers. Driving after consuming alcohol as a potential disaster waiting to happen.
DR. WALLACE: I'm a parent of a 13-year-old girl who is attending public school. One of my dear close friends is shocked because my daughter is in public school. She insists that private schools are far more superior to public schools. What is your opinion? —Mother, Beverly Hills, CA
MOTHER: All schools that are staffed with dedicated instructors and permit the students to study and learn in a safe, comfortable environment can be considered superior, be they public or private.
If your daughter enjoys her school and you feel she is a good learning situation, let her stay in the public school system.
ALL BEANS ARE HEALTHY, WONDERFUL VEGETABLES
DR. WALLACE: I hate beans of all kinds. My parents are in Arizona (my father is working there for a year) and I'm living with my grandparents. My grandpa loves beans so we have some beans it almost every dinner. They don't make me eat this icky stuff, but they keep telling me that beans are good for you. I've heard they're fattening. Which is true? —Nameless, Springfield, Mo.
NAMELESS: Beans are a type of legume and edible seed. According to the Mayo Clinic health letter, beans are high in protein and a good source of folate, potassium, iron, phosphorus and magnesium.
The nutritional make up of beans may help prevent chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Beans are famous for their high-fiber content; a diet high in fiber promotes digestive health and can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Do yourself a favor and try a few. They are not fattening if you don't add butter or sugar to this wonderful vegetable.
Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
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