In tonight's cover story flu fighting foods. We are not talking about a magic bullet here ... but certain foods are magical in the way they enhance the body's ability to stay healthy and battle bugs. Pick a pumpkin and find out why it can truly mean a happy Halloween. It's just one of many body boosting choices.
It's no slam dunk when it comes to placing the right foods in your cart. Eyeing the shelves ... wonder no more because we brought a nutritionist to help you choose the foods that will make you feel better this cold and flu season.
Victoria Shanta Retelny, Registered Dietician: "I always tell my patients use food as medicine. Have it be your first line of defense."
Yes studies of specific foods show they can boost your immune system ... warding off illness and helping shorten the duration of sickness. First pick a pepper.
Victoria Shanta Retleny: "Red bell peppers specifically have twice the vitamin C that an orange does. Research has shown 80% of cold and flu symptoms can be reduced and the severity of a cold by eating red bell peppers."
You've got the red, now throw in some orange.
Victoria Shanta Retelny: "Second thing is sweet potatoes. Saute these up, bake them, they are very high in beta carotene which actually is shown to decrease respiratory infections. Almonds are a great source of vitamin E. So try to get almonds in. Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant that can really help you keep your immune system boosted and high."
Victoria Shanta Retelny: "Another great way to stave off the flu is using pumpkin seeds they are jam packed with zinc and they fight off flu and infection plus you can roast these in the oven they taste delicious."
Don't forget the herbs and spices.
Victoria Shanta Retelny: "Garlic is one of the best things you can do. You're 2.5 times as likely to be as sick if you eat garlic. The fresh garlic is more immune boosting. The other one is ginger. Ginger contains a compound called gingerall which is really shown to fight infection. What I do with this is take a chunk off and boil it in water and drink it like a tea."
A great way to pour on a little protection. Three cups of green tea a day.
"You should steep your tea for about 4 minutes to get the optimal health benefits."
The benefits of avoiding antibiotics have long been documented as doctors worry about antibiotic resistant bug strians. Instead try probiotics packed in a little cup of plain yogurt.
Victoria Shanta Retelny: "Add your own fruit if need be but it adds a lot of pro-biotics, which is that healthy bacteria that lines your intestines with those healthy bugs that fend off disease and keep your immune system high."
You don't have to fill your cart high to raise your chances of staying healthy. Just place some peppers and sweet potatoes. Next the nuts. Go for the garlic and ginger. Choose a cup of yogurt and wash it all down with some green tea.
Victoria Shanta Retelny: "So two weeks into the flu season you start eating well, you can fend this off."
It's no slam dunk when it comes to placing the right foods in your cart. Eyeing the shelves ... wonder no more because we brought a nutritionist to help you choose the foods that will make you feel better this cold and flu season.
Victoria Shanta Retelny, Registered Dietician: "I always tell my patients use food as medicine. Have it be your first line of defense."
Yes studies of specific foods show they can boost your immune system ... warding off illness and helping shorten the duration of sickness. First pick a pepper.
Victoria Shanta Retleny: "Red bell peppers specifically have twice the vitamin C that an orange does. Research has shown 80% of cold and flu symptoms can be reduced and the severity of a cold by eating red bell peppers."
You've got the red, now throw in some orange.
Victoria Shanta Retelny: "Second thing is sweet potatoes. Saute these up, bake them, they are very high in beta carotene which actually is shown to decrease respiratory infections. Almonds are a great source of vitamin E. So try to get almonds in. Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant that can really help you keep your immune system boosted and high."
Victoria Shanta Retelny: "Another great way to stave off the flu is using pumpkin seeds they are jam packed with zinc and they fight off flu and infection plus you can roast these in the oven they taste delicious."
Don't forget the herbs and spices.
Victoria Shanta Retelny: "Garlic is one of the best things you can do. You're 2.5 times as likely to be as sick if you eat garlic. The fresh garlic is more immune boosting. The other one is ginger. Ginger contains a compound called gingerall which is really shown to fight infection. What I do with this is take a chunk off and boil it in water and drink it like a tea."
A great way to pour on a little protection. Three cups of green tea a day.
"You should steep your tea for about 4 minutes to get the optimal health benefits."
The benefits of avoiding antibiotics have long been documented as doctors worry about antibiotic resistant bug strians. Instead try probiotics packed in a little cup of plain yogurt.
Victoria Shanta Retelny: "Add your own fruit if need be but it adds a lot of pro-biotics, which is that healthy bacteria that lines your intestines with those healthy bugs that fend off disease and keep your immune system high."
You don't have to fill your cart high to raise your chances of staying healthy. Just place some peppers and sweet potatoes. Next the nuts. Go for the garlic and ginger. Choose a cup of yogurt and wash it all down with some green tea.
Victoria Shanta Retelny: "So two weeks into the flu season you start eating well, you can fend this off."
