Source: ezinearticles.com
Swine flu has taken its show on the road and traveled to the Southern Hemisphere. But like a college freshman who still sends his laundry home to Mom, swine flu hasn't entirely left us alone this summer. In fact, the United States now has more cases of swine flu than anyplace else in the world, and it's not flu season yet. Although most cases have been mild, there are some ominous indicators that the flu's expected return this fall may bring us more than we bargained for, including a worrisome affect on the obese.First some background:This particular H1N1 virus is a relative of the virus that caused the deadly 1918 flu epidemic. Only those who were born before 1920 and were probably exposed to the virus when very young seem to have some level of immunity. Flu viruses mutate very rapidly. So today's mild version could quickly become tomorrow's deadly version. The biggest cause of concern with any flu is pneumonia. This version seems to cause a particularly virulent form of pneumonia. Anecdotal evidence suggests that people who are obese, and acquire this swine flu virus, seem to be at greater risk of developing deadly pneumonia. This is true even if there is no other health condition present, like asthma or heart disease. Even if a vaccine is developed that works for this swine flu virus, it most likely won't be soon enough or plentiful enough for everyone in the US to receive the vaccine before flu season hits.So what can you do to reduce your risk of becoming very ill?Lose Weight Now: This is not the time to go on a starvation diet, but every pound you lose between now and the beginning of flu season will improve your health. Start by implementing these simple steps to lose weight.Eat more high fiber foods. Lentils, beans, and raw vegetables fill you up quicker, stay by you longer, help you lose weight and are budget friendly. Stock up on summer foods while they are in season. Fast food can't hold a candle to fresh cucumbers, peas, corn or tomatoes. Fresh berries, peaches, plums and pears are sweeter, tastier, and healthier than purchased cakes and cookies. Get rid of temptation. Clean out the cupboard and cease purchasing cookies, soda, and boxed baked goods. Replace fatty, unhealthy snacks with more benign options like whole grain crackers, pickles and nuts. Everyone deserves a treat occasionally. But instead of stopping for a banana split, indulge in a child size ice cream cone or a single chocolate truffle, or purchase one piece of cake. Keep the treats to once or twice per week. Prepare meals at home. Home cooked meals don't have to be elaborate affairs. Simple dishes prepared at home will almost always have fewer calories and be healthier than their restaurant counterparts. Reduce eating or ordering out to once each week. Move your body. If you have been sedentary for a while, start by parking at the end of the lot instead of near the door. Increase your activity each week. Take a walk around the neighborhood to enjoy pleasant summer evenings, get out and weed the garden, or wash your own car. Don't get frustrated. Every day you follow these tips you are improving your health and helping to keep swine flu at bay.Boost Your Immunity: No matter what your weight, one way to stay healthy is to boost your immunity. Boosting immunity basically means being the healthiest you can be.Choose foods that are high in nutritional value like fruits and vegetables, beans, lentils, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. Eat whole foods, not processed. Choose a baked potato not French fries or potato puffs, grilled chicken over a chicken burger or breaded nuggets, steamed vegetables with lemon-pepper instead of fried onion rings or broccoli swimming in cheese sauce. Reduce sugar and salt. Excess amounts of sugar and/or salt adversely affect immunity. Use more herbs when cooking. Several herbs and spices have been associated with immunity throughout history. Some of the more common ones are; garlic, sage, rosemary, black and red pepper, cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric. Not only will they help you stay healthy, your food will taste scrumptious. Get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. Our bodies need sleep for repair and recovery! Be physically active. Get out and enjoy the outdoors, in both summer and winter. Exercise of all kinds is scientifically proven to increase immunity. Reduce stress. Mental health has so much to do with immunity. Do everything you can to reduce stress. Say no more often, don't overbook yourself, plan some alone time, do something that makes you happy, stop trying to keep up with the Jones' and live a simpler life. It will help your mental health and your pocketbook.Losing weight and boosting your immunity won't keep you in a bubble that eliminates all exposure to the swine flu. But it will reduce your chances of suffering extreme or life-threatening flu side effects. Start today before the flu, like that college kid, lands on your doorstep looking for a place to hang out.
Renee Pottle is a healthy eating and wellness coach, author, and the owner of Wine Barrel Gourmet, a healthy gourmet foods company. Sign up to receive her healthy eating newsletter at http://www.winebarrelgourmet.com or visit her blog at http://winebarrelgourmet.wordpress.com.
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