We are all going through the most stressful times we have ever been through with the ‘Corona Virus’ spreading like wild fire. The most important thing is our safety and more so with elders or children in the family.
Food plays a very big role in boosting immunity- the oil it is cooked in, the kind of foods that are eaten and eating patterns.
Along with following medical and government guidelines, it is very important to ensure the family has a healthy immunity system, because immunity goes a long way in resisting contagions.
So how do we determine that immunity is low in any member of the family? Here are some symptoms which may indicate low immunity:
- Growth and developmental delays in infants and children- delayed or slower growth can be caused mainly by low immunity but also by hormonal disorders. It is best to get assessed at the earliest signs.
- Autoimmune disorders- like rheumatic arthritis, lupus, diabetes, multiple sclerosis
- Inflammation of the internal organs, blood disorders or abnormalities, such as anemia.
- Digestive issues, including loss of appetite, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping.
- Elders falling ill frequently due to inflammation of body organs
A balanced diet, exercise and sleep regimen can work wonders to boost immunity.
Follow these tips and see the change
- Quit smoking
- Reduce alcohol consumption
- Get adequate sleep
- Avoid stress
- Eat a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables and other nutrients
- Probiotics like curds are necessary for the good bacteria they contain to help in digestion. Have at breakfast for best results.
- Garlic- some years back garlic pearls were considered a very healthy option. They still are
- A concoction of lemon, honey, ginger and turmeric with warm water is a very good home therapy. All these ingredients are available in almost all Indian kitchens. For non vegetarians chicken soup/broth is a big booster
- Make a schedule for daily work outs
- Tea time can be a little cheat time
- Soak up some sun, breathe in fresh air. Pranayama is good at home.
The foods we eat are the basis of our immunity. How we cook, what we cook and consume them
Some immunity boosting foods which should be incorporated in the diet are:
- Citrus fruits- rich vitamin C and help reduce the risk of common cold
- Red bell peppers- these peppers can easily vie with citrus or other fruits in terms of vitamin C
- Broccoli- full of nutrients like vitamins minerals
- Garlic- immunity booster and helps in reducing cardio vascular risks significantly
- Ginger.- has been used for therapeutic purposes from the times of the Vedas
- Spinach- rich in iron and an antioxidant
- Yogurt- very essential probiotic
- Almonds-strong immunity boosters
All the above are very good tips and should be followed. But what about the every day cooking of the staple foods like daal, chawal, vegetables, rotis? No meal is complete without them. And the quintessential tea time snacks like samosas, pakoras and other fried items? All these are part of most Indian menus.
Freedom oils are manufactured keeping good health and Indian food habits in mind. Everyseed oil is processed perfectly to eliminate impurities and fatty acids and retain nutrients. Freedom oils have high smoking points which are good to reduce oil absorption and consequently reduce intake of calories. Fry or roast, season or baste with freedom using Freedom Oils Freedom oils are manufactured with different seeds and the best qualities are extracted. Freedom Rice Bran oil, Freedom Mustard oil, Freedom refined Sunflower oil, ground nut oil. Choose any for cooking. Enjoy the taste and good health too.