Diet Mind Spirit

Take a look around you. EVERYONE is coughing and sneezing, hacking up a lung here, blowing a storm out of their nose there… Alright, I’m exaggerating but only slightly. It’s winter and people are freakin’ sick. And LOTS of people! Cover your mouths with your arms when coughing and sneezing, people! I saw you coughing just out in the open and all the folks around you got sick. Better yet, STAY AT HOME when you’re sick. Stop spreading the goo.

Back to the subject: Eat foods that boost and reinforce your immune system. The best part of winter is that you eat more. During colder months, your body naturally wants more and well, while you shouldn’t overdo it, you can focus on foods that will help you, not hurt you. What are they?

Iron – Especially for women (but men need it as well), iron is essential for stimulating your immune defenses, helping to bring oxygen to the blood. Lentils, broad beans, real licorice, chick peas, blood sausage (if you can get into that) among others help if you’re having an iron deficiency. Some signs of iron deficiency are fatigue and paleness.

Garlic – Rich in vitamins A, B1, C – and in minerals: potassium, magnesium, and zinc, garlic is a king of healthful foods. It’s considered a natural antibiotic, an antiseptic and an antiinflammatory. It helps a bout of flu, angina or bronchitis. Always remove the inside sprout and remember that garlic is most effective raw. Your body will appreciate it even though those around you might not.

Zinc – plays a huge role in the development of white blood cells. Zinc helps reduce the chance of catching viruses. You’ll find zinc in seafood and poultry. For a great boost of zinc, try eating 6 raw oysters (Don’t say EWWW!), which sufficiently covers your daily allowance of zinc!

Vitamin C – Eating foods with lots of vitamin C is a must as it is an amazing antioxidant. Eat citrus fruits like clementines, tangerines, grapefruits, oranges, and also other fruits like kiwis. On the vegetable front, you should be eating broccoli and beets, which are packed not only with vitamin C but omega 3 fatty acids.

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 2nd, 2007 at 12:41 am and is filed under body, diet, fitness, general, healing, health, healthy recipes, real food. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.