PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD! Eating to Be Fit!: My POOR friends are Sick...

Foods that boost the immune system:

Food can make your body FEEL GOOD!

EAT GOOD FOOD for a Sick Free Winter...

~ is there food to keep the Cold Bugs away? There is:

Chicken Noodle Soup or any broth based soups....Grandma was right!! Homemade is best...no time for that? ...

I recommend Campbell's Healthy Request Chicken Noodle Soup or their Harvest Healthy Request. PLEASE stay away from any soups that have MSG in them and almost all do! I know you are sick and reading a label is not on the top of your list, but here is why it is crucial to avoid MSG when you already are feeling crummy! MSG is the leading food additive that causes Migraines. Many, many people suffer Migraines and have no idea why. A migraine on top of the symptoms of a flu or cold is absolutely unbearable, so do yourself a favor and tell you hubby to read the label (msg = monosodium glutamate)

Vegetables are rich sources of vitamins and minerals.
Eat favorite garlic filled foods as much as you can. Garlic is known to have immune boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.
Decaffeinated hot teas. Peppermint tea, decaffeinated green tea, detox tea or any other flavor can help sooth the throat and inhaling the steam can moisturize the nasal passages.
Eat lots of fruit. It is packed with vitamins and your intestines love the soluble fiber.

I swear by ORGANIC THROAT COAT HERBAL TEA - it is sold at Target with the Tea/Coffee Aisle and it found in Krogers in the Organic/Natural Aisle. It is around $4.99 a box and is worth every penny.

Did you know Gingerale really does soothe the stomach? It is the ginger that is the Star.

For the serious at heart, buy a whole ginger root in the produce department and take it home to make tea. Take a small pot, add 2 cups of water, grate about 1/2 the ginger root into the water and place on stove. Let the ginger root dissolve into the hot water and cook for about 10-15 minutes. Add honey and cinnamon and drink away.

The WINTER MONTHS are PERFECT for making us Blue Blue Blue and NOW we realize there are foods that ZAP our energy and CHANGE our mood, a killer trio! We really are WHAT WE EAT! Our MOOD is related to the FOOD we eat: Certain foods are key players in the production of powerful brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine may jog your memory, improve performance, improve sleep and boost your mood.

~ Get your B-vitamins

Folate and vitamin B12 may influence mood by playing a role in serotonin production. Studies have shown that low blood levels of these vitamins are sometimes related to depression.

~ Vitamin D is Superman

Vitamin D may changes your Winter Blues in Winter Boost! When the brain releases serotonin, our mood gets better and our energy can increase and Vitamin D is positively linked to that occurring. Although a link between vitamin D and seasonal affective disorder (winter blues) is still speculative, don't discount this sunshine vitamin.

*Here are some Good food sources of vitamin D: fish with bones, low-fat milk, fortified soy milk and egg yolks. Because vitamin D rich foods are limited, it may be beneficial to take a daily multivitamin and check out a good source of Vitamin D3...check the blog main page for a great source.

START EATING FOODS for a GOOD MOOD:

~ Limit refined carbohydrates

Refined white starch like white bread, crackers, bagels and rice are digested quickly, causing a DROP in energy and most of us are hungry in a few hours. Do you like feeling cranky and tired, I am sure you do not, so avoid: concentrated sugars like soda, candy, fruit juice, jam and syrup because they can create significant spikes (and drops) in your blood sugar.

Good mood foods:

To decrease significant blood sugar swings, include high-quality carbohydrates such as vegetables, fruit, legumes, brown or wild rice and oatmeal. High quality carbs trigger the release of serotonin which enhances calmness, improves outlook, and may lessen feelings of depression. Foods rich in soluble fiber such as flaxseeds, oats, barley, apples, pears, sweet potatoes, peas and beans help slow down the absorption of sugar in your blood, reducing mood swings.

Good mood foods rich in folate: fortified whole grain breakfast cereals, lentils, black eyes peas, soybeans, oatmeal, mustard greens, beets, broccoli, sunflower seeds, wheat germ and oranges.

Good mood foods rich in vitamin B12: shellfish, wild salmon (fresh or canned), fortified whole grain breakfast cereal, lean beef, low-fat dairy, and eggs.

Incorporate protein with meals.

The addition of protein to a meal or snack will help slow the absorption of carbohydrate in the blood. Dopamine and norepinephrine are released after eating protein, making you feel alert and focused for hours after eating.

Good mood foods: Choose heart-healthy lean protein such as skinless poultry, seafood, round or loin cuts of red meat, tofu, quinoa, eggs, and low-fat dairy.