By Nicola Cucuiet and Sylvia Klinger
As the relaxed days of summer drift away, you slowly find yourself in the middle of Autumn. Fall represents the perfect time to freshen up your eating habits. The change in temperature can be pleasant for those who have struggled with exercising in hot weather, so take advantage of the good weather and be more active. The views in Autumn are spectacular so sports like hiking, biking and jogging can be a breath of fresh air.
The fall season also offers some much-needed structure as children start school and mothers have more time to spend on planning healthy balanced meals as well as finding the time to exercise.
As the temperatures start to drop, fall is the perfect time to reintroduce soups into your menu. Soups are a very versatile and clever meal choice. Not only can you incorporate loads of vegetables in the diets of picky eaters but soups can also offer a delicious remedy for the chills. If you want to shed some pounds, consume your soup before the meal and then eat the main dish 2-3 hours later. This way you will be satisfied without overeating.
The transition between the high temperatures of summer to the lower ones in fall is sometimes not so smooth for your body. These changes can affect your immune system, leaving you vulnerable to illness. If you include a wide variety foods in your diet, you’re more likely to get all the nutrients your body needs to stay strong and healthy this season.
Here are some foods that can help boost your immune system:
Yogurt
The first product you should include this season is yogurt. The friendly bacteria found in yogurt, also known as probiotics, are very important for the proper function of your digestive tract, thus boosting your immune system. You can consume yogurt as a snack throughout the day with some unsalted nuts or dried fruits, or as your breakfast with some delicious berries and oats.
Onions & Garlic
Vegetables like onions and garlic contain a compound called allicin, which posses potent antimicrobial and anti-fungal activities. Given all their medicinal proprieties, next time you make a soup, don’t be afraid to add plenty of onion and garlic.
Vegetables with B Vitamins
In order to stay strong and healthy your body needs foods that contain sufficient levels of B- complex vitamins. Luckily, fall brings with it an abundance of foods that are rich in B-complex vitamins such as sweet potatoes, pumpkin, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, asparagus and many more.
Fluids
Be sure to consume enough fluids every day. When the weather is cooler, the sensation of thirst is delayed. Because the thirst mechanism is slowed down, people tend to get dehydrated which can manifest itself through headaches, difficulty in concentration, sleepiness and feeling lightheaded. You can also keep your hydration levels balanced with the help of tea. Some teas such as black and green teas can affect your immune system because they contain L-Theanine, a compound that studies have shown can boost your body’s disease fighting capacities.
