DietWhy.com introduces 8 kinds of food to combat influenza:

1. Yogurt

Probiotics protect the gut. Yogurt contains probiotics to protect intestinal tract to prevent disease-causing bacteria production. In addition, some yogurt contains lactic acid bacteria which can promote the growth of white blood cells in the blood.

2. Sweet potato

Sweet potato increases skin resistance. Skin is the body’s immune system, a member of the body against bacteria, viruses, etc. The first barrier against the outside world. Vitamin A in the connective skin tissue plays an important role in the process. the best way to obtain vitamin A is through β-carotene from food, sweet potato is the quickest way to obtain this nutrient, which is rich in β-carotene and low in calories.

3. Tea

Tea is anti-bacterial and anti-influenza. Immunologist found that people who drink five cups of black tea a day for two weeks will produce a large number of anti-viral interferon, its content is 10 times more than people who don’t drink tea.  This protein could be effective against infections help the body against flu. At the same time, it can reduce food poisoning, wound infections, athlete’s foot and even the symptoms of tuberculosis and malaria. Of course, drinking green tea also has the same effect.

4. Beef

Zinc enhance immunity. Zinc in the diet is very important, it can promote the growth of white blood cells and thus help the body against viruses, bacteria and other harmful substances. Even mild zinc deficiency can increase the risk of infectious disease risk. Beef is an important source of human zinc supplementation.

5. Mushroom

Mushroom promotes anti-inflammatory white blood cells. For a long time, people take mushroom as food for enhancing immunity. Nowadays, researchers have also found that eating mushroom can promote the production of white blood cells and enable them to be more preventive.

6. Fish and shellfish

Selenium can be used against virus. British experts research indicates that adequate supplementation with selenium can increase the number of immune proteins and thus help clearing the influenza viruses from the body. Selenium comes mainly from oysters, lobsters, crabs and clams and other seafood. Fish such as the Omega -3 in Atlantic salmon can help the blood cells producing large amounts of anti-influenza, but also help to enhance human immunity.

7. Garlic

Allicin can be used against inflammatory and bacteria. British researchers’ experimental results show that consumption of garlic may reduce the chance of catching cold to 33%. Regular chewing  garlic will greatly reduce suffering from colon cancer and stomach cancer risk. It is therefore recommended two raw garlic every day, and when cooking adding some large minced garlic in your dishes.

8. Oats and barley

Healthy fiber is antioxidant. Oats and barley contain β-glucan, which has anti-bacterial and anti-oxidation of cellulose role. Consumption of oats and barley, can enhance immunity, accelerate wound healing, but also help the antibiotics to play better results.

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According to Madeline Bohannon, a tropical fruit expert from Bonita Springs Tropical Fruit Club, this generous fruit may not be the best known of its kind but it deserves to be. That is because they yield 3 or 4 times as much juice as a regular lemon.

It is even better because they are in season now. They are typically harvested from November through winter. Meaning, they’re just right in time when we need an immune system boost. FYI, vitamin C is known to reduce the growth of free radicals or build up of toxic substances in the body that cause diseases ranging from flu to cancer.

In case you want to try Meyer lemon food recipes aside from the basic lemon juice or lemonade, here are a few of my healthy choices:

Meyer lemon pasta salad with asparagus, almonds and goat cheese
Meyer Lemon ‘Custard’ Island Parfait
Meyer Lemon – Ricotta Muffins

Read the rest of the report about Meyer lemons from News-Press.

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But before we jump into cooking, here are a few nutrition facts that you should know about mushrooms. First, they have high selenium content, higher than other items in the produce category. With a significant amount of selenium-rich mushrooms added to your diet, you will have better chances of fighting off cancer. Mushrooms are also good sources of essential B-vitamins such as niacin, riboflavin and pantothenic acid. They also contain potassium, which is responsible for regulating blood pressure, keeping the right balance of water in fat and muscle tissues and making sure that cells are functioning properly. If you’re on a weight loss diet, fresh mushrooms make a good fitness food. 5 medium mushrooms contain only 20 calories, 3 grams of carb and absolutely fat free!

True to my word, here is the recipe that I’ve promised to share. This garlic mushroom with toast by Gordon Hamilton makes a perfect appetizer and it takes only a few minutes to prepare.

Ingredients (per person):

• 5 small, close cup mushrooms (halved)
• 2 clove of garlic (crushed)
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Pinch of dried sage
• 1 slice of lightly buttered toast
• 1 tomato (for garnishing)

Directions:

1. Put the olive oil in a small saucepan and gently bring up to a medium heat.
2. Add the garlic and sage and heat gently for about thirty seconds, stirring with a wooden spoon.
3. Put the bread on to toast and add the mushrooms to the saucepan.
4. Continue to stir until the toast is ready and serve immediately.

Enjoy!

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Watch and learn everything you need to know about berries and all the health benefits you can get from them.

Although berry season is over, they’re still available in the market. So don’t forget to include them in your diet once in a while.

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So, what are sea weeds?

Seaweed is an algae that typically grows in salt or brackish water with enough exposure to sunlight to allow photosynthesis. They are often classified by their uses: food, medicine, and other uses (fertilizer, industrial, etc.).

For many years, people who live along the coastal area have been eating seaweeds. In Japan, these sea veggies are hand picked and considered as staple food. In fact, they are quite popular with their seafood and gourmet seaweeds, just like in China. In the Philippines, noodles made from seaweeds are known for its health benefits, while farmers in Scotland supplement their seafood diets with some of the local seaweeds.

There are many types of edible seaweeds but the more common ones are kelp, dulse, and nori. Each of them has a distinct shape, color and flavor. One thing they have in common is that they contain abundant amounts of calcium, iron, iodine, potassium and other minerals. They also contain vitamins A B, C, etc., as well as folic and pantothenic acid.

Reason why these ocean plants are a good source of these nutrients and minerals is that they thrive in sea water, which is rich with everything essential to life. Just as land veggies are saturated in nutrients present in the soil they’re planted in, sea veggies are immersed in the mineral rich environment they grow in. Naturally, these water-based plants absorb all the healthy goodness they are submerged to.

If you want to add more minerals and nutrients to your diet, then you have to consider adding seaweeds to your meals. There are many ways to consume seaweeds. It mostly depends on what type of seaweed you are going to use. Here are a few things that you can do with them:

• Grind and store in jars or salt shakers. They make a good substitute for salt.
• Include in soups or wrap sushi. There are a lot of seaweed food recipes available on the web.
• Use as food additives. You may want to check out seaweed products in the market next time around.

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Anthocyanin is generally known as a cancer-fighting antioxidant but let’s get to know more about this nutrient to appreciate its importance and why we need to include it in our diet.

What are anthocyanins?

• They are pigments that give fruits, vegetables and flowers their red, purple and blue colors.
• There are more than 300 different kinds of this antioxidant in plants.
• At this point, berries are the most abundant source of this nutrient.
• It is advised that you eat a variety of foods to get a wide range of anthocyanins.

Why are anthocyanins good for you?

• They are one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory antioxidants.
• They travel throughout the body to protect your blood vessels and nervous system.
• Beneficial to your heart and brain.
• Research has shown that they may help ward off diabetes, bolster eyesight and lower risks of some types of cancer.

Where can you find anthocyanins?

• From berries such as acai, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries, red grapes, cranberries and red currants.
• They can also be found in red cabbage, sweet potatoes, red onions and eggplant.
• Right now, there’s no reported risk from getting too much from this nutrient, so eat up!

Make sure you include anthocyanins in your daily diet. Besides, the sources of this nutrient are also delicious, you can’t say no to them.

Source: Healthy Eats

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So treat yourself with fresh cucumber juice on this Sunday afternoon. Here’s the complete recipe from foodnetwork.

Ingredients

* 2 English cucumbers
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 2 cups water
* Special equipment: cheesecloth

Directions

Peel the cucumbers, saving the peels. Grate cucumber flesh on a box grater. In a medium saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil. When sugar dissolves, add the grated cucumber and simmer until cucumber is tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

In a blender, puree reserved cucumber peel and cucumber syrup until smooth. Line a strainer with cheese cloth over a bowl. Strain cucumber mixture. Gather cheesecloth in 1 hand to squeeze out all of the juice. Chill until cool, about 1 hour. Serve in glasses over ice.

Once you’re done, it will look something like this:

Enjoy your cold, healthy treat!

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Protein is an essential nutrient that makes you feel full and gives you sustained energy. That’s why your breakfast should have lots of it.

Your choice of breakfast might be tasty but it probably lacks the amount of protein that will help you last through lunch break.  If you are trying to lose weight, you would definitely want to avoid picking up unhealthy snacks before lunch. So to avoid unnecessary weight gain, make sure you eat a high-protein breakfast.

Fitsugar recommends the following high-protein foods.

• Nonfat Greek Yogurt: Chobani Nonfat Vanilla contains 16 grams of protein, and if you go for plain, it’s 18 grams.
• Cheese omelet: Two scrambled eggs offers 12.6 grams of protein. Sprinkle on an ounce of mozzarella cheese and that’ll add 7 grams of protein.
• Cereal and milk: Look for a cereal that has at least 8 grams of protein per serving. Kashi Go Lean has 13 grams. A cup of skim milk contain 8 grams of protein, and if you go for plain soy milk, it contains 11 grams.
• Peanut butter on toast. Two slices of whole-wheat bread contain 8 grams of protein. Smear on two tablespoons of peanut butter, and it adds 8 grams of protein.

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As you well know, blueberries are an important part of your healthy diet; mainly because of its nutritional properties that protect the body from the harmful effects of free radicals and chronic diseases. It is also widely known for its anti-aging properties.

No wonder Health Castle has chosen blueberries as food of the month.

Blueberries are a great source of fiber, a good source of antioxidant, Vitamins C and E, and manganese – a mineral that helps activate many important metabolic enzymes in our bodies. Additionally, the berries are chock-full of powerful phytonutrients called anthocyanidins, which are strong antioxidants (and give the berries their trademark bluish-purple hue). They also enhance the effects of Vitamin C.

Nutrition Tidbits for Blueberries

• One cup of blueberries contains:
  • Calories: 84 kcal
  • Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 21.4 g
  • Protein: 1.1 g
  • Fiber: 3.6 g
  • Glycemic Index (GI): Low (below 55)

Here are some of the ways to include blueberries in your diet:

• Add them to smoothies, granola, cereal, yogurt, oatmeal, or salads
• Use them in homemade popsicles for a cool treat
• When making rice pudding, replace raisins with blueberries (add them in towards the end of cooking)
• Add blueberries to homemade iced tea, or mash them up and mix them with sparkling water and lemon juice

You might also want to try any of these blueberries recipes:

• Blueberry Spinach Crumble Bar – perfect for those who have a sweet tooth.
• Blueberry Popcicles – a cool treat that your kids will love.
• Williams-Sonoma Blueberry Muffins – a healthy quick fix for breakfast or mid-day snack.

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Apples and carrots contain vitamins A, B and E. They also have a high amount of antioxidants that help prevent cancer and slow down the aging process. That’s why it gives you a clear, young-looking skin. Yogurt may also help improve bowel functions.

Here are the ingredients:

• apple – 1
• carrot – 50 grams
• yogurt – 200 ml

You may use any yogurt flavor that suits your taste.

To prepare, just follow these 3 simple steps:

1. Clean and peel off the skin of apple and carrot.
2. Cut the apple and carrot into small pieces.
3. Blend the apple, carrot and yogurt together.

Your apple carrot juice is now ready to be served. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed mine.

Source: Healthy Juicer Recipes

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