Cures in Your Cupboard -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For Educational Use

Cures in Your Cupboard by Sue Gilbert, M.S., Nutritionist

Foods that stimulate the immune system · Yogurt: Prevents colds and reduces hay fever symptoms. Must contain live cultures of lactobacillus bulgarius or bifidobacteria. · Garlic: Increases immune system cell potency. · Fruits and vegetables: Go for those high in beta-carotene (carrots, cantaloupe, spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes, apricots, and pumpkin) and vitamin C (citrus fruits, broccoli, melon, red peppers and strawberries). · Zinc: Helps wounds heal more quickly. Eat oysters, lean beef, port, turkey, or lamb for zinc. Brown rice, salmon, and yogurt also contain zinc.

Foods for colds, flu and hay fever: · Chicken soup: Helps move mucous. · Hot and spicy food: Acts like an expectorant to thin out secretions of colds, allergies or asthma. · Garlic: Helps kill viruses and bacteria. · Liquids: Keeps mucous membranes hydrated and healthy.

Foods for constipation: · Fiber: Add whole grain foods (especially cereal bran), pears, dried fruit, berries, peas and cooked dry beans. Try honey bran muffins with raisins or prune bits. · Fruit juice: Cut back on apple, pear and grape juice; the high sugar levels can be hard to digest. · Prunes: Try a glass of room-temperature prune juice on an empty stomach early in the morning. · Fluids: Liquids are key.

Foods for diarrhea: · Starchy, bland foods: Try bananas, rice, applesauce and toast (BRAT). Small, frequent meals are best. Avoid bulky or gaseous foods. · Fluids: Avoid milk (especially if lactose intolerant) and sugary drinks. Try thick potato soup or a thin rice cereal (porridge). · Yogurt: Helps prevent and kill diarrhea-causing bacteria.

Foods for nausea: Gingersnaps, ginger ale, and ginger tea may help alleviate mild nausea, without any side affects. Drink clear fluids slowly, avoiding juices, especially citrus. Try diluted sports drinks or broth.

-- SAR01 (rauch01@yahoo.com), November 28, 2001