Fit Home Team Health

Be the Exception

Many experts say that the time between Halloween and New Year’s can be really stressful on the immune system due to all the additional refined sugar and fat we tend to consume during the holidays. Since we know up front that events and gatherings are going to be full of food that will make you feel guilty, get ahead of the temptation and strategize. Talk with your family about healthy choices (such as sweet potatoes, roasted veggies and lean proteins like chicken and turkey), so that when they get to the buffet line, they’ll make the right moves.

Immunity Boosting for Winter

If you or one of your kids or spouse already had a cold already when the weather started to change, the last thing you want is for anyone else to catch it. There is nothing worse than passing a cold around in the house, but there are things we can do to make sure we all stay as strong as possible during these cold, unpredictable months. And of course sometimes there’s no getting around a sniffle now and again, so we’ll also give you some tips on how to feel better.

• Make lots of soups, which are not only cozy and warm, but are also a great way to sneak in the best types of nutritious ingredients. The possibilities are endless as far as vegetables go, and you can make sure you get enough protein too, by using beans like lentils and whole grains like barley for a heartier soup.
• Drink lots of water as the cold temperatures combined with heaters at home tend to dry us out. Drinking lots of water in the winter helps to keep the skin hydrated.
• Try to include citrus fruit in one meal per day, be is fresh ruby red grapefruit wedges for breakfast or a tall glass of OJ as a snack any time. You can also make lemonade and keep a pitcher in the fridge, as lemons are known to be one of the most nutritionally complete foods.
• Make sure everyone is wearing enough layers before they go out into a cold day.
• Make oatmeal mornings at home a routine, as these grains contain beta-glucan, a fiber with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
• Exercise can also help strengthen your immune system by improving blood flow, flushing away toxins from muscles and organs, and helping to keep the kidneys and endocrine system working well. Staying active also helps with germ elimination and to circulate antibodies.