Your lungs provide oxygen for every cell in your body to survive. Problems with the lungs can prove fatal. If you want to enjoy breathing deeply and naturally all your life, then you have to make certain changes to your diet. Here is a list of foods that you should stay away from when it comes to breathing difficulties and food. 1. Cold cut meats Cold cut meats are popular choices as they are easy to buy and use. These also have very long shelf lives. However, these can be harmful to your lungs in the long run. According to experts, most of these cold-cut meats have nitrates added to them as a preservative. Nitrate can induce lung damage and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). 2. Dairy products An important group of food on the list of breathing difficulties and food is dairy. Dairy products like milk, butter, and cheese may be healthy for the body, but these can increase mucus production in the intestines. Some experts believe that such excess mucus may trigger breathing difficulties in those with existing lung problems. 3. Fried foods If you have problems like COPD, then fried foods are not your friend. While such foods don’t directly affect the lungs, they can lead to excess gas formation and bloating in the stomach.

There is no way you can completely prevent the risk of developing tumors. However, certain foods can bring down the risk and help your body fight cancer cells. Here is a list of superfoods you should definitely include every day to help prevent cancer. 1. Turmeric Turmeric is a spice that is very popularly used in India and parts of Asia. This has a powerful antioxidant called curcumin. Curcumin is used in any alternate medications available for cancer to fight free radical damage and abnormal cell growth effectively. You can use turmeric as a coloring agent in your food or add a few pinches of turmeric to hot milk and enjoy it. 2. Apples True to the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” apples also make to this list of cancer and lifestyle foods. Apples have a polyphenol called phloretin. This is supposed to inhibit abnormal cell growth in certain kinds of cancer. Apples are also low in GI index and sugar and don’t cause inflammation in the body. This helps too. 3. Fatty fish If you love seafood, one of the top choices you have to make is fatty fish. Fatty fish are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids and essential minerals and vitamins.

Cold and flu are some of the common viral infections. They are seasonal and can be handled easily at home using certain anti-viral herbs. Apart from the medications you take, try some of these cold and flu superfoods. 1. Ginger One of the best herbs to treat cold and flu is ginger. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and can bring down inflammation in the nasal passage and airways. It can also clear the nasal passage, bringing down congestion. You can boil fresh ginger pieces in water and enjoy hot ginger tea to get some relief. 2. Sage Sage has immense antiviral and antibacterial properties and is a classic herb to treat cold and flu. Again, the fresh herbs are more effective than the dried ones. It is easy to grow your own herbs at home for their medicinal value. 3. Rosemary Rosemary is a herb that can actually improve your circulatory system. It increases blood flow throughout the body and helps relieve problems like headaches that affect you during a cold or a flu infection. 4. Cloves Cloves have a strong and spicy aftertaste and also make to this list of cold and flu superfoods. Cloves are anti-viral by nature and they can help bring down all symptoms of cold and flu like runny nose, cough, and sore throat.

When one has been diagnosed with a severe condition such as diabetes, preventing damage to essential cells and organs becomes critical. This can be achieved by managing blood sugar levels and leading a healthy lifestyle. As diabetes and foods consumption are linked, one of the most effective ways is to keep blood sugar levels in check is through one’s meal plans. Listed below are a few foods that can help one do just that. 1. Beans and lentils These foods are high in fiber, rich in protein, and are digested by the body slowly, making them an excellent option for managing blood sugar levels. Studies have found that chickpeas, lentils, and other beans can help to manage blood sugar levels and reduce blood pressure and cholesterol in individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Hence, these should be listed when discussing diabetes and foods. 2. Fish Fish, especially oily fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, and herring, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and should be a part of a healthy balanced diet. Choose to prepare a fish dish by baking or grilling instead of frying. 3. Nuts Almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios, and cashews are packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats and can also help to manage and stabilize blood sugar levels.

Ulcerative colitis or UC is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the gut and the formation of ulcers. There is no definitive cure for this condition. However, with medication and certain treatments, you can only treat the symptoms and prevent frequent flare-ups. Probiotics can play a significant role in manage this condition and its symptoms. Let’s see how.  1. Probiotics promote healthy bacteria The gut has both good and bad bacteria. Good bacteria help in the digestion process and keep the gut healthy. Probiotics are foods that contain different strains of these good bacteria, and they help increase good bacteria count in the gut. As a result, problems like indigestion, diarrhea, and cramping reduce. 2. Probiotics are healthy Unlike other drugs that do heal the gut but may lead to side effects when consumed long term, probiotics are natural ingredients and hence are safe to consume every day, for as long as you want. Since ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition, it can be treated safely with probiotics. 3. Probiotics work as well as NSAIDs One of the common categories of medicine used to treat UC is Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). These bring down inflammation in the gut and ease the symptoms of UC.

The exact cause of schizophrenia, as with most disorders that affect the brain, is unknown. The treatment for this condition is long-term, and the medications used tend to have side effects that can affect the overall health of the patient. Therefore, ensuring that the patient gets the nutrition they need is important. In addition to the beneficial foods for schizophrenia, you should also be aware of the information below. Things to Keep in Mind About Schizophrenia and Nutrition 1. Proper weight management Most often, individuals with schizophrenia have been found to have improper food habits. This, coupled with a lack of physical activity and the antipsychotic medications for this condition, result in weight gain or high levels of blood sugar and cholesterol. The medications could also interfere or impair metabolic function. This puts these patients at a greater risk of developing coronary heart disease. Hence, consuming a healthy, balanced diet that includes beneficial foods for schizophrenia is essential. 2. Consuming essential B-vitamins Certain B-vitamins such as riboflavin are necessary for brain function. It has also been seen that B-vitamins are often lacking or deficient among those with schizophrenia. Hence, consuming supplements or foods that are rich in folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 could help in managing this condition more effectively.

The food you eat needs to be healthy and nutritious to keep you in good health. Many health issues such as diabetes and cholesterol can be effectively managed through lifestyle changes. To help you understand the relationship between high cholesterol and foods, here are a few foods that are not only good for your health but also lower LDL or bad cholesterol. 1. Legumes Pulses such as beans, lentils, and peas contain a lot of minerals, proteins, and fiber. Hence, when reviewing the link between high cholesterol and foods, opting for these instead of meat, especially red meat, might be useful in lowering your cholesterol levels and staying healthy. Kidney beans, black-eyed peas, and garbanzo beans are not only tasty but also take time to digest, making you feel full for a longer time. They are useful when trying to manage weight. Soybeans can also reduce your risk of developing heart disease, a common complication in people with high cholesterol. 2. Nuts and fish When discussing high cholesterol and foods, nuts like almonds and walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fat that can help improve heart health. The plant compounds in nuts also help to reduce the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the intestines.

Many children love spending time in the kitchen. Their curious little minds love to see how things are made. But have you ever asked your kids to try to make something themselves? Encouraging them to prepare their own meals and snacks will ensure they enjoy what they eat. And of course, it’ll be fun! Listed below are five healthy kid snacks that your little ones can make by themselves without much supervision. 1. Peanut butter, banana, and chocolate chip sandwiches This is one of the easiest healthy kid snacks that those in elementary school can whip up for themselves. They’ll require ¼ cup creamy peanut butter, two tablespoons of honey, two tablespoons of semisweet chocolate chips, two slices of whole wheat bread, and one thinly sliced banana. Here’s what your child has to do: Mix the peanut butter and honey. Add the chocolate chips and spread them on the bread. Add the sliced banana. Ready! 2. Granola trail mix This is another quick and healthy kid snack that requires one pack of granola, one pack of raisins, one pack of honey roasted peanuts, and one pack of milk chocolate M&Ms. All your little one has to do is mix all the ingredients. They can use any dry fruits or seeds they like.