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4 Simple Ways to Feel Better with Food

By on April 7, 2017
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By Steph Davidson | NaturallySavvy

We already know the impact of a healthy diet on major things like inflammation, brain health, and heart disease, but we can also reach for a food-based solution when we’re feeling under the weather instead of traditional medicine.

Heal a headache naturally

The next time your head starts to hurt, stop to make sure you’re fully hydrated and drink one to two glasses of water. Robin Foroutan, an integrative nutritionist in New York and a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told Consumer Reports that “dehydration is a common cause of headaches, so water may address the pain right away.”

A decrease in blood sugar could also be the culprit, so make sure to eat something with carbs, protein, and healthy fats. You can also try using essential oils like peppermint before reaching for the painkillers.

Tame your tummy

If you’re struggling with nausea try ginger instead of an anti-nauseant. A 2016 study published in the Integrative Medicine Insights journal found ginger to be effective when dealing with nausea associated with pregnancy and chemotherapy. According to the study, “Ginger is an ancient herb used widely in history for its many natural medicinal properties and particularly as an antiemetic. The best available evidence demonstrates that ginger is an effective and inexpensive treatment for nausea and vomiting and is safe.”

Read more about the health benefits of ginger

Tackle heartburn and insomnia with fruit

A 2016 study found snacking on kiwi or drinking tart cherry juice an hour before bed helped people fall asleep, potentially thanks to the serotonin and melatonin they respectively contain. If you suffer from heartburn, a banana may be able to provide as much relief as an antacid. Another study found cutting back on sugar and carbs can help prevent it from happening altogether.

Upgrade Grandma’s chicken soup

The next time you come down with a cold, make sure you add lots of veggies to your broth. A study in the journal Chest found chicken soup that also contained onions, sweet potato, parsnips, turnips, carrots, celery stems, and parsley, helped relieve symptoms. The ingredients are neutrophil inhibitors, which simply put means they discourage the mucous production that makes colds so uncomfortable.

Read about preventing colds with supplements

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