Optimize Your Winter Health

posted: February 5, 2008

Stay warm. Wash your hands frequently. Get plenty of sleep. Drink lots of liquids. These are all important practices to maintain good health throughout the winter months (and any time of year for that matter). You can also give your immune system a boost by eating the right kinds of food to help prevent catching cold or flu bugs that circulate more rampantly during the winter months:

• Foods rich in Vitamin C: try to eat at least one serving a day of fruits and vegetables such as citrus fruits, cantaloupe, kiwi, strawberries, broccoli, and red bell peppers to name only a few.
• Foods rich in Vitamin E: mostly found in plant oils, try to snack on foods such as nuts and seeds. Another good source of Vitamin E comes from using vegetable oil rather than fatty oils while cooking.
• Whole grain breads and Cereals
• Lean Meats and Fish
• Limit your intake of high-fat foods and alcohol: your body wastes energy and important nutrients in order to process these less-than-healthy foods.

Follow these diet tips and remember to get your exercise and you should enjoy a healthier winter!