Need to find a way to get rid of an annoying cold fast? Fill your diet for the week with these healthy power foods that can help rid your body of illness and infection.
Oranges
Vitamin C is important to the body for many different reasons. It helps protect the body from certain virus-causing bacteria, and the pith, the white stuff connecting pieces of the orange together inside, and even the rind of orange and other citrus fruit contains lots of pectin, which can help lower your cholesterol. The rind of oranges is also sometimes used to relieve stomach pains associated with ulcers or acid reflux - in this way you can get all the goodies from the orange without using the actual orange itself, which might otherwise exacerbate such conditions. If you want to use an entire orange or two to help save your body from a cold, try making a tasty orange and fennel salad - or to use just the peel and/or pith of the orange to also ease stomach pains, try this rosemary candied orange peel featured on NYTimes.com.
Turkey
Turkey's got plenty of zinc and potassium, both are important to get over your cold quickly and help prevent another one from coming back too soon. Turkey also has been known to aid in nerve function and growth, and apparently also helps regulate your blood pressure and cholesterol. Using white meat turkey with the skin taken off is best if you're trying to keep the most fit. Looking for a delicious way to cook turkey breast that incorporates other ingredients to help ward off your cold? Try this chipotle turkey and corn soup - It's absolutely delicious, and uses adobo sauce and lime, both of which can help kick your cold to the curb.
Garlic
Long praised as one of the healthiest foods a person can eat, garlic has been known throughout the history of food to aid in heart health, help control conditions related to blood pressure, and help the body recover from a cold. Garlic also has wonderful antioxidant properties, and is considered to be one of the tastiest spices and whole ingredients in modern (and ancient) food preparation. If you like spicy Asian inspired dishes, try some stir fried Asian greens with chiles and garlic. This tasty dish adds flavorful greens and spicy peppers as well, which are also helpful in getting rid of a pesky cold.
Lemon
Dropping a circle of fresh cool lemon into a warm cup of tea is a well known way of helping to relieve asore throat commonly associated with a cold. Lemon doesn't just make the tea taste good - it's doing cool things inside your body that help you heal, like helping to get rid of constipation or diarrhea, aiding with digestion, and helping to create antibodies. Lemons have vitamin C, and are now known to be anti-carcinogenic, which makes lemons especially good for lowering the risk of colon, prostate, or breast cancers. If you're looking for a way to add whole lemons to your dinner, try this lemon and rosemary chicken. If you need something lighter, try making some peppermint lemonade! Yum!
Chili Pepper
Spicy foods are great at curing a sore throat and opening up nasal and throat passages, and chili peppers are one of the world's most favorite spicy food ingredient. Chili peppers are also one of the worlds most commonly used natural remedies for illness exhibiting cold like symptoms. They've got lots of vitamin A and C, and are said to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. If you can't handle spicy food very well, you might be better off trying different cold curing foods first. If you're okay with the chili's peppery hotness, try making a hearty pork stew with chili pepper.
There are other tasty foods that help rid your body of bacteria and other baddies that can cause illness; things like ginger, almonds, low fat milk, lean meats and green leafy vegetables. As always, the basics are always a good idea as well - chicken soup and tea! For a tasty and healthy new spin on hearty home-style chicken soup, try this chicken and sweet potato stew from EatingWell.com. If you're looking for a delicious new tea to help show your cold the door, try any tea combining ginger, lemon, mint, or licorice. Get well soon!
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