For us in the Southern hemisphere there is no denying it – winter is most certainally on its way, and as winter approaches it is especially important to get into the habit of looking after your health.
As we all know it is only too easy to let those healthy habits slip and with the increased challenge to our immune systems in winter it becomes even more important to keep up with them – even as it becomes harder to do so.
As it gets cold and dark we tend to get more easily tired and look for those comfort foods: biscuits, cakes, chips, takeaways, starchy greasy food….the list goes on. Unfortunately these are not foods that help you to stay feeling well. And the more you eat of them the more you want to eat of them as your body craves the nutrients that are lacking from your diet.
It is better by far to increase and maintain your levels of healthy fresh foods, keeping you feeling good and breaking the cycle of craving. Fresh fruit and veg have been repeatedly shown to provide your body with what it needs, as well as keeping energy levels up and contributing to a well-functioning immune system.
George Mateljan in America has done extensive research into what he calls the World’s Healthiest Foods. He has written a number of books as well as formed his own foundation in the promotion of eating well. You can visit George’s website for an easy to follow database of healthy ingredients with nutritional information, cooking articles; and quick, easy and healthy recipes and cooking methods.
You may also like to try adding the following to your daily routine:
A hot ginger drink
Ginger has been used for centuries in herbal and Aryuvedic medicine. It has stimulatory properties and will help to warm you up on cold days. It is also good to improve digestion, and to improve circulation bringing more oxygen and nutrients to tissues. For a delicious pick-me-up chop or grate fresh ginger into a cup of boiling water – you can also add lemon or honey according to taste.
Garlic
Garlic contains many sulphur compounds which are believed to be largely responsible for its apparent health-promoting qualities. Garlic has been used traditionally as an antibacterial and antiviral agent. It is often recommended to eat garlic raw, around a clove a day, for greatest benefit. For those of us who can’t stomach this, cook with it; adding it towards the end of cooking will have the least impact on nutrients. Or simply take a garlic supplement. These are available in a specially deodorised form, that removes the odour while maintaining the nutrient benefits.
Vitamin C
Long heralded as immune supporting and a well-known antioxidant, vitamin C has been reported to reduce both the duration and severity of colds and a plethora of research details its many qualities. It is commonly recommended to take 500mg of vitamin C a day with some increasing their dose up to 2g a day when coming down with a cold. It is best to divide your daily dose of vitamin C, taking it throughout the day to maximize absorption.
So to all my fellow antipodeans – good luck in your battle against the bugs this winter – and perhaps try eating well to keep well.
Filed under: Health
