Because we are what we eat, it is very important to eat more winter super foods which will help us reduce stress and detox our body if we want to stay healthy this Winter.

I. Whole foods rich in anti-stress vitamins and minerals are stress fighters and we have to incorporate them in our diet as many as possible.

Magnesium
It has been found that people under stress have low magnesium levels. A deficiency of magnesium interferes with transmission of nerve and muscle impulses, causing irritability and nervousness. Try to eat more apples, dried apricots, avocados, brown rice, garlic, grapefruit, lemons, leafy vegetables, millet, nuts, sesame seeds, salmon (wild caught).

Calcium
Our body needs a proper balance between magnesium and calcium to have a healthy stress response. Healthy foods rich in Calcium are almonds, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, figs, kale, kelp, mustard greens, oats, prunes, sesame seeds, salmon, seafood, sesame seeds, tofu, plain yogurt / kefir.

B6.
Studies show that people who are depressed have low levels of B6 and serotonin. We need eat more avocados, bananas, fish, spinach, walnuts -to get more Vitamin B6.

B12.
As we know, B12 deficiency can contribute too many anxiety disorders caused by stress, such as hormonal imbalances, blood sugar fluctuations, chronic fatigue, depression, irritability, moodiness, nervousness. To eat more salmon, seafood, sea vegetables (if we don’t eat meat) will help.  A detailed plan with suggestions for reducing stress overload you can find in my eBook “ DeStress-101-Survival Kit for Busy Women”

II. The second step in helping us feel better and be healthier during Winter is to boost our immune system with winter detox.

We need to drink more water (filtered of course!) – it helps us eliminate more toxins. In winter it makes sense to drink more teas with Dandelion, Nettles, Ginger, Burdock Root.

Shifting from the most congesting foods (sweets, diary products, bread, fats, fried foods, refined flours, meats, hydrogenated fats, drugs) to the least (fruits and vegetables, grains, nuts and legumes) can help most of us detoxify somewhat and bring us into balance in general.

And we don’t need an excuse to wait for spring to cleanse our bodies, because we can use winter detox super foods, such as apples, beets, celery, squashes, garlic, carrots, onions, green leafy vegetables, lemons, oranges, parsley, seaweed, beans as well as detoxifying spices like turmeric, coriander, fennel, cumin right now.

We need to include these fantastic foods in our routine and use one or two every day. Why? Because these foods purify our blood, purify and protect our liver, cleanse the intestines. More on Super Simple Detox – in my eBook “Detox – 101″

Never forget that it is also very important to avoid certain foods if you want to stay healthy and not to get colds. My article “Super Foods to Avoid...” has the list of foods to stay away from.

It is Winter, so slow down, relax and enjoy.

And, of course, let me know if you need some Holistic Counseling or eCoaching help to make your first step to a Healthier and Happier You.

Meanwhile, breathe, smile and be happy,

© Irina Wardas, HHC

Women’s Holistic Health, Nutrition and Relationship Expert

NaturalCounselor.com

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