Include bananas in your diet for a healthy boost. (Photo by Mike Garten)

In a nutrition funk? Try these helpful tips from The Good Housekeeping “Do” Diet to look and feel great.

Do: Go easy on gummy vitamins

Chewy supplements for adults are everywhere, but how do they stack up against the pill form? It depends. “They’re as effective in delivering nutrients, but they may contain smaller amounts per dose,” said Paul R. Thomas, a nutrition scientist at the National Institutes of Health. This means that you may need to take quite a few to get the dosage your doctor recommends, which is where it gets sticky: Gummies are packed with sugar; you could easily eat 12 grams per serving – half your day’s worth, per American Heart Association guidelines. What’s more, they’re so candylike that some people pop more than they need, and overdoing it with some nutrients – in any form – can lead to upset stomach, certain types of cancer and liver damage.

Bottom line: Enjoy them, but check with your doctor and pay attention to the dosage.

Do: Sleep under the stars for better zzz’s

If Monday mornings are rough, try going camping. Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder found that when people spent the weekend in the woods, their levels of melatonin (the hormone that controls wakefulness) rose an hour and a half earlier. That means you’ll crash earlier and wake up at your usual weekday time, avoiding Monday-

morning jet lag. Allergic to nature? Aim to get as much natural light as possible during the day (wearing sunscreen, of course) and shut off electronics well before bedtime.

Do: Try probiotics for hay fever

A sneezy, drippy nose during pollen’s peak is no fun, and meds can make you drowsy. But a new study from the University of Florida found that a probiotic called Kyo-Dophilus led to improved quality of life for allergy zombies who typically suffered with mild seasonal symptoms, says Bobbi Langkamp-Henken, Ph.D., R.D. You can find the supplement in pills online or at health-food stores. “It won’t cure your allergies, but it may make them more manageable,” said Langkamp-Henken.

Do: Go for a “helper’s high”

Whether you deliver meals to people who are homebound or use your fundraising skills to bring in money for your kids’ high school, a spirit of unselfish giving can bring you major health benefits – both mentally and physically. According to one study, regular volunteering can lower your risk of high blood pressure. Other research has shown that being of service helps reduce stress and that volunteers have lower rates of depression and may even live longer. To find

amazing ways for you and your family to contribute in your area and internationally, visit our partner in doing good, we.org.

ON ANOTHER MATTER …

Connected Co-pilot

Great for drivers at every age and stage, Hum+ by Verizon ($50 for device then $10 per month for data plan, verizonwireless.com) is a connected device for your car that brings OnStar-like features to almost any ride.

How It Works: Plug the dongle (aka the device’s brainpower) into your car’s OBD-II port (found in nearly all vehicles made after 1996), clip the speaker to your visor and download the free app. Then use it for things like help detecting mechanical issues, roadside service, mileage and fuel reports, travel discounts and more.

Lab Lowdown: Our engineers liked that each driver in the family can create a unique user profile.

Good to Know: It requires cell service or Wi-Fi, so not every feature works where signals are limited.

TABLE

Do: Eat like a monkey!

Bananas pack a triple hit of health helpers, says GH Nutrition Director Jaclyn London. Here are some of the benefits offered by this ultra-portable snack:

Help your ticker: The plant-based antioxidants in bananas help protect cells from damage. Plus, potassium has been linked to better blood-pressure regulation.

Upgrade immunity: This fruit has prebiotic compounds that fuel the “friendly” bacteria in your intestine. Having lots of these “good” bugs helps shield your immune system from the “bad” ones that make you sick.

Keep your brain sharp: With a quarter of your daily vitamin B-6 fix, bananas may help keep your thinking straight: Diets high in the vitamin are linked to lower risk of cognitive decline and may help protect neurological function.

Recalls Alert

The following products and vehicles were recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Unless otherwise indicated, discontinue use of the products immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information about the products, call the manufacturer or CPSC’s toll-free hotline, (800) 638-2772. Only some cars or trucks recalled are affected. Contact a dealer for your model to see if it is included in the recall. The dealer will tell you what to do.

PRODUCT/VEHICLE

PROBLEM

Combi Shuttle Travel System (stroller and car seat combos), sold online at Amazon.com,

BabiesRUs.com, Target.com and other retailers from June 2015 through September 2016 for between $350 and $400 for the stroller and the car seat when sold together.

The car seat can disengage from the stroller’s frame, posing a fall hazard to infants. Consumers should stop using the recalled strollers with the car seats attached and contact Combi for a free repair, which consists of straps to secure the car seat to the stroller. Consumers can continue to use the strollers and car seats separately. Consumers can contact Combi USA toll-free at (844) 332-6730 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST Monday through Friday or online at www.combiusa.com. Click on “Safety Notifications”at the bottom of the page for more information. Combi USA will contact consumers who registered their products.

Subaru 2017 Impreza

Due to a software problem, the rearview camera display may not work properly. A rearview camera display that does not function as designed can reduce the driver’s view of what is behind the car, increasing the risk of a crash. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment software for free. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at (800) 782-2783. Subaru’s number for the recall is WTN-74.

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Distributed by King Features Syndicate