Cold Busters - It’s Primetime for Soup
By Cheryl Forberg, RD
We’re smack dab in the middle of cold season, and if you’re lucky, you haven’t yet succumbed to a cough, sneeze or sniffle. But if the winter woes of a cold already haunt you, don’t call on antibiotics for help. The common cold is caused by a virus and antibiotics treat bacteria.
Luckily there is a natural way to shift your body into prevention gear and fire up your immune system with cold-busting foods. And a revved up immune system can stave off much more than just a cold.
Antioxidant-rich, nutrient dense foods including whole fruits, vegetables, grains and omega-3 rich foods provide a diverse range of tastes and textures to appease the pickiest of eaters while packing a powerful punch to keep your immune system humming this winter or anytime. (And the fact that they can help to slow the aging process doesn’t hurt either).
Here are some potent cold-busting foods to top your next shopping list. Turn up the volume on your immune system to combat colds before they knock you out.
Chicken Soup – the most requested food of cold sufferers. Though its medicinal role isn’t clearly defined, a slew of doctors agree this all-time favorite has a certain je ne sais quoi that seems to work wonders. It may be the steaming broth acting as a decongestant, or a combination of some of the ingredients that elicit an anti-inflammatory response to the respiratory system. Either way, few foods offer the same soothing combo of savory comfort and old-fashioned memories.
Citrus Fruits contain a myriad of antioxidants including the star power of Vitamin C. But it’s not all in the juice. Most of the vitamin C in oranges is actually found in the peel (53 percent), while lesser amounts are found in the juice (23 percent) and the pulp and rind (21 percent). Be sure to zest your fruit and stir it into your juice or your favorite recipe.
Garlic has a distinctive role in enhancing immune function among its many health benefits. It has also shown promise in moderating healthy cholesterol levels, antitumor activity and antioxidant properties.
Ginger contains several phytochemicals, including shogaol and zingerone which have anti-tussive and anti-inflammatory properties. This means they bring relief for cough and congestion from a cold or the flu.
Zinc-rich foods - zinc is a potent supporter of several different immune functions. Zinc- rich foods include mushrooms, fresh parsley, lean beef, low fat dairy and sesame seeds.
Additional Guidelines for Prevention:
Easy “Homemade” Chicken Soup
Yield: 1 quart
The final flavors of any recipe are a function of the ingredients you use. Homemade stock will result in a much richer flavor. If you have leftover grilled chicken, that would make a great substitute or roast chicken (or turkey).
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon Grapeseed or Olive Oil
1 cup Onions, finely chopped
½ cup Carrot, chopped
½ cup Celery, chopped
4 cups Fat-Free Low-Sodium Turkey, Chicken or Vegetable Broth
1 (12-ounce) Sweet Potato, peeled and cut into ½ inch dice (about 2 cups)
8 ounces Roast Chicken or Turkey Breast, cut into small cubes
1 cup Cooked Pasta (optional)
Salt and Pepper, to taste
¼ cup Chopped Fresh Italian Parsley, without stems
Instructions:
Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add onions, celery and carrots; cook, stirring occasionally, until veggies are tender but not brown, about 10 minutes.
Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add chicken and simmer until just heated through, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot, sprinkled with fresh parsley.
We’re smack dab in the middle of cold season, and if you’re lucky, you haven’t yet succumbed to a cough, sneeze or sniffle. But if the winter woes of a cold already haunt you, don’t call on antibiotics for help. The common cold is caused by a virus and antibiotics treat bacteria.
Luckily there is a natural way to shift your body into prevention gear and fire up your immune system with cold-busting foods. And a revved up immune system can stave off much more than just a cold.
Antioxidant-rich, nutrient dense foods including whole fruits, vegetables, grains and omega-3 rich foods provide a diverse range of tastes and textures to appease the pickiest of eaters while packing a powerful punch to keep your immune system humming this winter or anytime. (And the fact that they can help to slow the aging process doesn’t hurt either).
Here are some potent cold-busting foods to top your next shopping list. Turn up the volume on your immune system to combat colds before they knock you out.
Chicken Soup – the most requested food of cold sufferers. Though its medicinal role isn’t clearly defined, a slew of doctors agree this all-time favorite has a certain je ne sais quoi that seems to work wonders. It may be the steaming broth acting as a decongestant, or a combination of some of the ingredients that elicit an anti-inflammatory response to the respiratory system. Either way, few foods offer the same soothing combo of savory comfort and old-fashioned memories.
Citrus Fruits contain a myriad of antioxidants including the star power of Vitamin C. But it’s not all in the juice. Most of the vitamin C in oranges is actually found in the peel (53 percent), while lesser amounts are found in the juice (23 percent) and the pulp and rind (21 percent). Be sure to zest your fruit and stir it into your juice or your favorite recipe.
Garlic has a distinctive role in enhancing immune function among its many health benefits. It has also shown promise in moderating healthy cholesterol levels, antitumor activity and antioxidant properties.
Ginger contains several phytochemicals, including shogaol and zingerone which have anti-tussive and anti-inflammatory properties. This means they bring relief for cough and congestion from a cold or the flu.
Zinc-rich foods - zinc is a potent supporter of several different immune functions. Zinc- rich foods include mushrooms, fresh parsley, lean beef, low fat dairy and sesame seeds.
Additional Guidelines for Prevention:
- Wash hands frequently – this is the number one form of cold transmission.
- Avoid nutrient-poor foods which are processed, refined, fried, including sugar, excess fat & salt.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Moderate exercise (or lay off for a couple days if you’re feeling hammered).
- Minimize stress.
- Optimal hydration; drink plenty of fluids; especially if you have a fever.
Easy “Homemade” Chicken Soup
Yield: 1 quart
The final flavors of any recipe are a function of the ingredients you use. Homemade stock will result in a much richer flavor. If you have leftover grilled chicken, that would make a great substitute or roast chicken (or turkey).
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon Grapeseed or Olive Oil
1 cup Onions, finely chopped
½ cup Carrot, chopped
½ cup Celery, chopped
4 cups Fat-Free Low-Sodium Turkey, Chicken or Vegetable Broth
1 (12-ounce) Sweet Potato, peeled and cut into ½ inch dice (about 2 cups)
8 ounces Roast Chicken or Turkey Breast, cut into small cubes
1 cup Cooked Pasta (optional)
Salt and Pepper, to taste
¼ cup Chopped Fresh Italian Parsley, without stems
Instructions:
Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add onions, celery and carrots; cook, stirring occasionally, until veggies are tender but not brown, about 10 minutes.
Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add chicken and simmer until just heated through, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot, sprinkled with fresh parsley.
