After
the last few week's glorious sunshine and high temperatues there's no
doubt that Spring has arrived, but that doesn't necessarily mean that
the days of colds and sniffles are over yet. A nutritious and balanced
diet is always the best foundation to staying healthy throughout the
seasons but sometimes we all might need a little extra help in the form
of super foods or vitamins.
My
no 1 super food is without a doubt the humble lemon. One lemon contains
more than half of the daily vitamin C intake, which can help to boost
the immune system but it's also great for ridding the body of toxins, it
helps the body to absorb iron and it's also shown to have a positive
effect on bone health. I have been known to every now and then peel a
lemon and eat it as I would an orange, but I know that might not be for
everyone so a much esier way to get a healthy daily dose of lemon is to
start the day with some hot water with lemon squeezed into it for a real
kick start your system or to drizzle salads and greens with some lemon
juice.
Garlic is another
wonderful source of vitamin C, and studies have shown that a high intake
of garlic can reduce the amount of days suffering from a cold or the
flu with as much as 60%. In addition garlic can help to reduce
cholcesterol levels and blood pressure and it's rich in anti-oxidants,
protecting the cells against cell damage and supporting detoxification
of heavy metals e.g lead. I love garlic and fortunately so does my other
half, and anyone who has ever been to ours for dinner knows that
sometimes the food is so garlicky it glows in the dark. Again this might
not be to everyone's taste, and you can always swap the fabulously
tasting cloves for capsules with extract instead.
While
lemon and garlic may not be the easiest food in the world to love,
surely blueberries are. They're sweet, juicy, delicious and can easily
be added to a smoothie or a salad, strewn over your morning yoghurt or
eaten raw on the go - what's not to love?! Blueberries are packed with
anti-oxidants, rich in firbes to keep you feeling full for longer and
low in fat, so no need to feel guilty for indulging in these little
gems. In fact since blueberries contain a lot of manganese, the more you
eat, the stronger your bones will be. Similarly to cranberries,
blueberries can help to ward of urinary infections and it's also been
known to lessen the symptoms if you have contracted it. So go on -
treat yourself to some blueberries every day!
Supplements
are exactly that and and you really should try and get what your body
needs through your diet, however if your diet is restricted for some
reason, they may be useful. While I get a lot of vitamin C naturally
through my daily diet I am every now and then a bit short on e.g.
vitamin B and amino acids since I don't eat meat or poultry so to
support my diet I'll take multivitamins and/or Berocca for that extra
boost, but if you take any form of medication, always check with your
doctor before starting on a supplement. If despite your best efforts a
pesky cold comes calling, add a few drops of Echinaforce to hot or cold
water to help manage the symptoms, so you can still get on with the day,
making cold days a thing of the past.
