Several aspects play a role in maintaining and improving health conditions, like the common cold and influenza (flu). While an individual might require prescriptions from a doctor, they may also need to follow a healthy meal plan. Eating specific food can help the body receive the right nutrition, strengthening the immune system. So if one is affected by health conditions like a cold or flu, eating these foods could help them manage and improve symptoms. Lemons Citric fruits like lemons are one of the best immune-boosting options to include in meal plans. The food is rich in bioflavonoids, which are antioxidants that help protect the health of cells. Lemons also contain healthy amounts of vitamin C, which bestows multiple health benefits on the body, including supporting the immune system. Since the human body does not make this vitamin, healthcare experts recommend sourcing it from food like lemons to improve one’s health. One of the best ways to enjoy the benefit of the fruit is by sipping on lemon water throughout the day. One could also squeeze lemon juice on vegetables and salad dressings to receive its nourishment. Garlic One could eat garlic raw or add it to foods in a chopped or powdered form.

Many of us feel guilty when snacking between meals or at night because we often choose junk food that lacks nutritional value. A better solution to this is to find healthy alternatives rather than depriving our bodies of these snacks. Luckily, there are plenty of options that can satisfy snack cravings while promoting good health. In this article, you will find 15 healthy snacks that you can munch on without any guilt. Dark chocolate This is one of the most popular junk foods that is quite healthy too. Whenever you feel like treating yourself to something decadent, have a piece of dark chocolate without feeling guilty. These bitter chocolates are low in sugar and high in protein and fiber. Also, their flavor is so intense; you will never overeat them. Cheese crisps When you crave to eat something cheesy and crunchy, try out cheese crisps. You can easily find them at the grocery store or the supermarket near you. Made from real cheese, these are great alternatives to those snacks dusted with artificial cheese powder. Moreover, cheese crisps are quite low in carbs and rich in proteins. Popcorn Whether you are feeling hungry after dinner or want to grab a small snack in the middle of work, popcorn is your friend.

Detox water infuses various flavors, from fresh fruits to vegetables and herbs. Sometimes it is also called fruit-flavored water or fruit-infused water. Since it is made by the infusion of flavors and not blending and juicing, detox water has fewer calories than regular fruit juices and smoothies. This is why it has gained popularity among fitness and health enthusiasts. So if you’re intrigued, here are a few recipes and health benefits. Health benefits of detox water Detox water will tick all boxes whether you’re seeking body cleansing, boosting metabolism, or general good health. It is fresh and hydrating and keeps your energy levels high all day. So, check out other key benefits of detox water below: Prevent dehydration To be sufficiently hydrated, more than just drinking water is required. This is because your hydration levels are maintained by electrolytes or charged minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. With the infusion of fruits, veggies, and herbs, detox water does contain some of these charged minerals. So drink detox water to prevent dehydration, especially when you go out in the sun or it is humid. No more bloating Whenever your stomach feels bloated, drinking plain water may worsen it. However, detox water will do the opposite.

Dental care and oral hygiene do not simply end at brushing, flossing, and extensively using mouthwash. There are many daily habits and lifestyle choices that impact your oral health and have a detrimental effect on your pearly white smile. Many foods and beverages cause stains over the enamel, triggering plaque buildup, bacterial infections, and severe decay. But the following healthy foods can promote teeth whitening and healthy oral care. Here are a few foods that you must eat to promote oral health: Crunchy vegetables and fruits Veggies with a good crunch can help clean your teeth in between bites owing to the friction between the crunchy foods and the enamel. Vegetables like carrots, celery, bell peppers, and broccoli can all provide enough roughage to dislodge plaque and prevent too much bacteria buildup. The same goes for munching on crunchy apples, pears, and other fiber-rich fruits that require chewing and breaking down. Watermelon Watermelon is an excellent fruit for hydration and contains fiber that rubs off against the enamel to keep your teeth clean. In addition, the fruit contains natural malic acid that helps lighten the color and hue of the enamel to make the molars look whiter. Also, malic acid promotes the production of saliva, which is necessary for keeping your teeth white and healthy.

When it comes to maintaining optimal lung health, lifestyle and nutrition can play a crucial role. Adding certain foods to daily meals can help strengthen the lungs, improve respiratory function, and reduce the risk of lung-related ailments. Further, when dealing with respiratory conditions, food can aid exercise, treatment, and healthy lifestyle changes in strengthening the lungs. So, one should choose from the following nutrient-rich foods that are known to have positive effects on lung health.  Apples Apples are known to help fight diseases. But what makes the fruit such an excellent addition? Quercetin is an antioxidant found in high quantities in apples. Antioxidants help improve lung function and overall health, keeping the body up and running. Another benefit of adding apples to daily meals is that the fruit helps the lungs recover from infections and diseases.  Beets Beet is one of the best foods to strengthen the lungs. It also helps regulate blood pressure and assists in increasing oxygen intake. Loaded with minerals and nutrients, including nitrates, beetroot can help vessels relax, thus increasing oxygen uptake. Beet can be added to meals, side dishes, or salads. Recipes like hummus can also use beetroot to enhance their flavor and color. Pumpkins Pumpkins are a fall favorite.

Parenting a cat is a wonderful experience. But it may stir up several questions, including what foods are safe for them. Of course, you’d want to feed the feline treats and package cat food designed for them. But introducing human foods could help add more nutrition to their meals. You may also want to avoid cooking separate meals for them all the time. Therefore, here are ten safe options that you could feed your cat. Spinach Spinach is a highly nutritious food that is not only beneficial for humans but also safe for cats. It is abundant in healthy properties such as vitamins A, C, and K. The leafy green vegetable is also high in minerals, including calcium and iron, which are essential to boost your feline pet’s overall health. You could steam spinach without additional spices, salts, or seasoning, as these ingredients are unsafe for cats. Cats do not like vegetables, so you should add small amounts of cooked leafy greens to their meal regime. Salmon Introducing fish options like salmon to your cat’s meal regime is one of the best ways to improve their nutritional intake. The food contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are vital for their health.

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition in which one experiences itching, rashes, inflammation, red spots, and dry skin. The condition can affect both children and adults. While the cause of the disease is not clear, genetic and environmental factors may be responsible for increasing the risk of eczema. One of the best ways to manage this skin disease is to make better food choices and avoid allergens and triggers. Follow an elimination meal plan Many people dealing with eczema may have to follow strict nutritional plans, as certain foods can trigger eczema symptoms and flare-ups. So, it is important to recognize triggers and find safer alternatives by following a regimen where potential triggers are removed and reintroduced to meals. Dairy products, for example, are a common food trigger. So, if one is sensitive to certain proteins in dairy-based food, they should avoid milk or cheese products. Also, one may have to avoid food items like soy, nuts, and eggs if they suspect symptom flare-ups after eating any of these items. While they are generally healthy additions to meals, for those with eczema, such foods can cause discomfort. Eliminating gluten from meals can also help. However, one has to be extremely careful about elimination meal plans, as, without the right guidance, drastic changes to food regimens can lead to side effects like a lack of essential vitamins or minerals.

Anyone who has dealt with an allergy would understand the discomfort involved. Different factors, including dust, food, insect stings, and pollen, may cause allergies. Sometimes, allergies may give rise to external symptoms like itching and rashes, whereas certain other allergies may entail symptoms like vomiting and dizziness. In any case, understanding the root cause can help one find a suitable remedy. Here are some foods that can help one manage allergy symptoms. Ginger Several allergies stem from irritation in the nasal passage, causing symptoms like swelling in the eyes and throat inflammation. Ginger comprises several antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, including gingerols and shogaols, which help reduce inflammation in the body and facilitate speedy recovery from allergic reactions. One may incorporate chopped or julienned ginger into stir-fries, gravies, soups, smoothies, etc., or add pounded ginger in tea for a soothing beverage. Lemon Foods rich in vitamin C can reduce the severity of allergic rhinitis, which refers to irritation in the upper respiratory tract. An allergic reaction to pollen typically causes this irritation. Every 100 grams of lemon juice contains 53 mg of vitamin C, making lemons a rich source of the essential vitamin. Hence, individuals prone to dust and pollen allergies should include lemon in their meals.

Basic hygiene practices, like brushing and flossing the teeth, can help one keep their teeth white and healthy. On the other hand, a few bad habits can hamper oral health, increasing the risk of developing diseases and damaged teeth. Common unhealthy habits, like biting nails and having sugary foods, can affect oral health and weaken the teeth over time. So, here are a few bad habits to avoid for maintaining healthy teeth: Brushing too hard Brushing teeth is vital for maintaining oral health. But, if one brushes their teeth too hard, it can weaken teeth. Aggressive brushing can make the tooth enamel wear off, leaving the teeth susceptible to sensitivity, damage, and decay. Further, this habit can lead to irritation and receding of the gums, exposing the roots. So, to maintain optimal oral health, one must choose a soft-bristled brush with an American Dental Association seal. One should also gently massage the teeth instead of scrubbing them vigorously to avoid abrasion. Biting nails One of the most common bad habits is biting nails. Doctors warn against this habit, as it allows germs and bacteria to enter the mouth and increase the risk of infections. But biting nails can also lead to immense damage in the form of chipping and breaking teeth.

Our skin could turn dry due to several factors, including genetics, environmental elements, and age. The condition can make the skin itchy, flaky, scaly, or rough. Healthcare experts may suggest several methods to tackle dry skin, including lifestyle changes. One of them may require eating nutritious foods to improve skin quality. Therefore, here are nine foods that one should add to their meals to combat dry skin, reduce itchiness, and improve the overall skin texture. Beef liver Introducing beef liver to meal plans could help moisturize the skin. The liver contains vitamin A, retinoids, and carotenoids that could activate specific pathways in the body that may directly affect the skin. Furthermore, the vitamin may also help repair UV-damaged skin and reduce psoriasis’s effects. However, one should speak to an expert about how much beef liver to consume daily, as too much vitamin A may result in complications. Sweet red pepper To get a healthy amount of vitamin C, experts recommend adding sweet red peppers to meals. Half a cup of pepper contains about 106% of the Daily Value (DV) of nutrition required by individuals. The vitamin could help combat dry skin by increasing its moisture content. Vitamin C is also known to protect the skin against harmful UV rays.