A healthy diet is the bodies best support system. We eat every day, so let your foods feed your healthy side. Read Labels to ensure you are getting the right mix.

1. Winter Blues Fix: Replace refined carbs with whole grains.  Increase your intake of Vit D. The comfort foods, try whole grains; like oatmeal, brown rice and quinoa, releasing energy gradually over the course of 3-4 hours.  Avoid the “spike and dips” in energy (like a cupcake mid- afternoon) as they are bad for internal organs and will carry your mood down with it.
2. Unsteady Balance:  Make sure you are eating enough protein. 40-60 grams a day is recommended. If you are not consuming enough protein, you will have muscle loss. Greatly increasing your chance of falls.  Most important is to divide your daily protein throughout your 3 meals a day. One-third in the morning, one third lunch and one third at dinner.
3.  Bloating: Feed your digestive system fiber and fluids throughout the day for it to run smoothly. This is a “two-fer.  26-28 grams of fiber throughout the day works best when you increase your fluids at a commensurate rate.  1 ounce of water per half your body weight.
4. Protecting your hearing: Who knew a heart healthy diet is good for your ears. More plant-based foods help the bodies blood flow. Good blood flow is important for proper hearing function. Try soups made with lentils, beans enjoyed with fiber rich whole grains 3-4 times a week.

Nothing can guarantee that you won’t get colds or flu this winter. Food that help your immune system can fend off the germs. So, eat well, eat colorfully and grow those antibodies.  So, when you do need ‘em, you have a good solid supply.