Welcome to cold and flu season -- fa la la la la la la la laaaaaa! Even though we may all be destined to get one or the other this year, here are a few suggestions that might help:
1. Tap into the power of protein. Protein helps bump up your body's production of disease-fighting antibodies, so make sure you get a little at every meal. Focus on lean meats, fish, nonfat dairy products, beans, and nuts.
2. Fill your plate with color. The most colorful items in the produce department also contain some of the highest levels of Vitamin C and flavonoids, both of which can help increase your production of protective immune cells. Reach for oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, kiwi fruit, blueberries, the list goes on and on.
3. Warm up with tea. Folks who sip three mugs of black tea daily may produce up to ten times more virus-fighting agents than coffee drinkers. Tea bags, everyone!
4. Get your grains. Whole grains provide selenium, zinc, and beta glucan, all of which enhance immunity. Add oatmeal, shredded wheat, barley, couscous, and amaranth to your diet.
5. Go for the spice. Chicken soup may shorten the duration of a cold by up to 50%. Why? Cooked chicken releases cysteine, an amino acid that's chemically similar to a drug used to treat bronchitis. Enough said. And if you can stand the heat, spice it up. The capsecin in hot peppers and sauces helps relieve congestion.
Let's see . . . protein, vegetables, whole grains, tea . . . where have we seen those before? It turns out that the foods that are so good for you are good for what ails you as well. Eat hearty and stay healthy!
No comments:
Post a Comment