Healthy Holidays!

With the onset of winter weather comes cold and flu season. There are several ways to help you stay healthy through the holiday season!

1.      Eat a well balanced diet

v     Poor nutrition is the most common cause of a weakened immune system.

v     Make sure you eat every 3-4 hours and consume at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables throughout the day.

v     As the temperature drops, many fruits and vegetables go out of season. The following are available year round:

o       Fruits like oranges, apples, and bananas

o       Dried fruit can be added to trail mix, cereal, or yogurts

o       Frozen fruits can be used to make smoothies

o       Vegetables like lettuce, carrots, and celery

o       Winter squash is a great seasonal vegetable that can be added to stews, casseroles, and soups

2.      Stay hydrated

v     When the weather gets colder, you may not be inclined to drink as often, but it is important to carry a water bottle with you throughout the day and hydrate frequently.

o       Your body is still losing fluid from sweat and evaporating water from skin!

3.      Get quality sleep on a regular basis.

v     Shoot for about 8hrs/night

If you begin to feel sick – Vitamin C and Zinc may help.

In order to reap the benefits of Vitamin C and Zinc, you must consume them year round. They may help decrease severity of your symptoms and the length of time that your symptoms last. Make an effort to consume more of these nutrients in your diet.