Staying Healthy in Winter

Winter has arrived along with more cases of flu and other nasty viruses. What can we do to protect ourselves and our families?

As a nutritionist, my view is that the food we eat is the fuel we need to build a strong healthy body that is resistant to disease. At this time of year, it is important to eat food that not only provides us with the nourishment we need but also helps build a strong immune system.

Plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables are essential so go ahead and make those warming meals with as many different types of vegetables as you can get; stews and hotpots just like our mothers used to make are so good for us. Make sure you include onions and garlic which also protect our bodies from germs. 🧅 🧄

Carrot juice gives a wonderful boost to your immune system; indeed, juicing any cocktail of fresh fruit and vegetables will not only boost your immune system but also improve your general health.

I hope the following five tips will help you stay healthy this winter:

  1. Eat a varied diet including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Avoid processed foods that contain too much fat, sugar, and salt.
  2. Get sufficient sleep because during the winter we need more rest, lack of sleep can reduce the effectiveness of your immune system by 50%.
  3. Drink lots of liquid; try herbal teas and mineral water rather than caffeinated drinks which deplete the body of many nutrients including zinc and iron.
  4. Reduce those stress levels – stress is bad news for the body. Discover ways to relax and enjoy life. Exercise is a great stress reliever and is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. It also increases our resistance to infections.
  5. Take a good multivitamin and mineral supplement daily, this will guard against deficiencies. I also suggest you increase your Vitamin C input and taking Zinc in the evening can also improve your immunity against colds and flu. Echinacea is also a good herb to take at this time of year but is not suitable for everyone so take advice from a health professional.

Live with joy and health 💚
Elizabeth Beetham

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