The common cold and flu season has come early and many people are falling victim to it. It's also the holiday season, when people are busy with more activities and are overindulging in sweets and fatty foods.
People are feeling emotionally or physically stressed. At a time like this, our immune systems can be compromised and our bodies are more susceptible to “catching a common cold or flu”.
What can we do to stay healthy during this stressful and overtasked time? Eating healthy foods can make the difference between staying well and getting sick.
It is especially important to eat three to six meals a day, and don’t skip meals because of a hectic schedule. The best way to eat healthy is to make meals that are quick and easy to prepare.
My suggestion is eat soups and stews. They are nutrient-dense, and they can be quick and easy so they don’t tax your already hectic holiday schedule.
One of the great things about soups is that they are one-pot meals that can feed you and your family, or anyone that drops by during the holiday season.
Old favorites like chicken noodle have been shown to have anti-inflammatory benefits and can reduce stuffy noses too.
In fact if you are making homemade soups with chicken, onions, sweet potatoes, parsnips, turnips, carrots, celery stems or parsley, you are supporting and boosting white blood cells which are essential to the immune system.
So consider making homemade soups this holiday season. If you need ideas or recipes, you can check out my ebooks' immune-boosting recipes and easy suppers with soups.
You can also check out my other posts about the benefits soups, stews or chili recipes on my blog at www.healthydaes.org/ The recipes are simple and easy and help you stay relaxed during the holiday season.
Live Vibrantly,
Dr. Dae
Dr. Dae's website: www.healthydaes.org/
Download one of Dr. Dae's books: Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living, Eating Healthy for the Holidays, Cultivate Health: Recipes for Diabetic or Pre-Diabetic Conditions @ www.healthydaes.org/
Dr. Dae's Bio:
Dr. Daemon Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who maintains a holistic practice by treating patients all over the country using Skype and phone visits. She helps her patients harvest health and feel great, using a combination of safe and effective naturopathic and conventional methods.
Sources:
"CNN.com - Health - Chicken soup is medicine, U.S. scientists confirm - October 17, 2000." CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.
http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/diet.fitness/10/17/chicken.soup.reut
"What Are The Health Benefits Of Chicken Soup? | LIVESTRONG.COM." LIVESTRONG.COM - Lose Weight & Get Fit with Diet, Nutrition & Fitness Tools | LIVESTRONG.COM. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2012.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/402775-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-chicken-soup
Reviewed December 11, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith