Nutrition
Dietary management of Asthma
Fruits
This chapter discusses how we can manage asthma with our diet.
Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs, characterised by obstruction of the airway, which may be accompanied by wheezing, difficulty in breathing, coughing and other symptoms.
Asthma is a very distressing disease which poses immense threat on one’s life. That being said, asthma is not a death sentence and there are many ways to optimise one’s life with asthma. We will discuss the dietary portion of that.
Foods to avoid
Before we know what to do, we must know what not to do. Some common foods which may trigger an attack include shellfish, nuts and some dairy products, among others. Avoiding these foods will go a long way to reduce the distress caused by asthma attacks.
Also, some food additives and preservatives such as sulphites, food colourings, monosodium glutamate, and salicylate are potential triggers. You should always check food labels to be able to avoid these.
Foods to consume
People with asthma may benefit from a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids. Foods with anti-inflammatory properties, such as berries, leafy greens, and fatty fish, may also be helpful in avoiding episodes.
One should always remember to drink adequate water, as this is universally beneficial to our overallhealth and also helps to thin mucous of the airway, thereby helping to curtail episodes of asthma.
Lifestyle modification
To help avoid frequent asthma attacks, we should avoid smoking and smoky environments, avoid alcohol and very cold beverages (including ice cream), manage emotional and physical stress, and last but not the least, stay away from and avoid known triggers (common triggers include house dust mites, pollen, animal fur or dander), among others.
In conclusion, asthma, as distressing as it is, can be an issue of minimal concern with adequate medical attention, which is never complete without dietary measures.
The writer is a Nutritionist and Chief Executive Officer of Holistic Health Consult. Email: info@holistichealthconsult.org
By AsareKorkor Bernice
Nutrition
Turkey stew
Ingredients
– 1.5kg of turkey
-Salt and pepper to taste
-62-125g of vegetable oil
-5-6 tomatoes
-1 medium onion, sliced
-1 tablespoon of garlic,
– I tablespoonful of grounded gloves
-½ teaspoonful of dried thyme
-1 tablespoonful of smoked paprika
-¼ teaspoonful of curry powder
-1 bay leaf
-1 tablespoonful of Maggi or bouillon (chicken-flavoured)
-2 green onions, chopped (whites
and green parts)
-3 tablespoons (12g) parsley
-1-2 sliced carrot
Preparation
-Season chicken with salt, pepper, and seasoning.
-Cook turkey until tender
-Heat oil in a large pot over me
dium heat until hot, fry turkey
until brown.
-Wash, clean and blend tomatoes,
onions, and garlic.
-Pour the blended ingredients into the pot of chicken.
– Add the thyme, curry powder, bay leaf, parlsey, bouillon, paprika to boil.
Let it simmer until tender (depending on the turkey), 20-30 minutes, frequently stirring to prevent the stew from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.
Add carrots, green and onions. Cook for five more minutes. Adjust the thickness of the stew with water or stock.
Season with salt according to preference. Remove the bay leaf.
Source: Pulse.com
Ingredients
– 1.5kg of turkey
-Salt and pepper to taste
-62-125g of vegetable oil
-5-6 tomatoes
-1 medium onion, sliced
-1 tablespoon of garlic,
– I tablespoonful of grounded gloves
-½ teaspoonful of dried thyme
-1 tablespoonful of smoked paprika
-¼ teaspoonful of curry powder
-1 bay leaf
-1 tablespoonful of Maggi or bouillon (chicken-flavoured)
-2 green onions, chopped (whites
and green parts)
-3 tablespoons (12g) parsley
-1-2 sliced carrot
Preparation
-Season chicken with salt, pepper, and seasoning.
-Cook turkey until tender
-Heat oil in a large pot over me
dium heat until hot, fry turkey
until brown.
-Wash, clean and blend tomatoes, onions, and garlic.
-Pour the blended ingredients into the pot of chicken.
– Add the thyme, curry powder, bay leaf, parlsey, bouillon, paprika to boil.
Let it simmer until tender (depending on the turkey), 20-30 minutes, frequently stirring to prevent the stew from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.
Add carrots, green and onions. Cook for five more minutes. Adjust the thickness of the stew with water or stock.
Season with salt according to preference. Remove the bay leaf.
Source: Pulse.com
Nutrition
Health
benefits of Turkey
– Turkey is a rich source of protein
– Skinless turkey is low in fat
– Boosts energy production
– Boosts immune system
– Lowers cholesterol levels
– Contains selenium
