Our lungs help us receive oxygen and release carbon dioxide through breathing. The body’s natural defense system protects the lungs from infections, germs, and other pathogens. But you can also improve lung health by making specific lifestyle changes like following an active lifestyle and breathing fresh air. Further, the right nutrition plan is crucial. The following foods have essential nutrients that keep the lungs healthy and lower the risk of diseases: High-fiber foods Inflammation is among the leading causes of lung diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and fiber can help fight inflammation. A molecule in the blood called C-reactive protein (CRP) indicates inflammation in the body. Fiber-rich foods can contain CRP levels and protect the lungs. Fiber can also improve gut health by increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids. Some fiber-rich foods that promote healthy lungs are apples, artichokes, beans, berries, brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes, peas, cereal, and whole-grain bread. Vitamin C-rich foods Vitamin C is a vital nutrient that protects our cells from oxidative stress. It also has properties that protect the lungs from free radicals. Research shows that people who lack vitamin C may have decreased lung function, which may lead to infections.

Probiotics are live organisms (good bacteria or yeast) present in the human body. When a person falls ill or gets infected, the percentage of the bad bacteria may increase. One way to regain good bacteria is to include probiotic foods and supplements in daily meal plans. Probiotic yogurts are substances that promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut to improve digestion and immunity. Choose from the following popular probiotic yogurts to restore and improve your gut health: Fage Total Yogurt Fage Total 2% Plain is all-natural Greek strained and low-fat yogurt. It is gluten and added sugar-free. The pack weighs 7.2 ounces. The yogurt is rich and creamy and contains only 2% milk fat. The ingredients in this pack include grade A pasteurized skimmed milk and cream and live active yogurt cultures. Maple Hill Creamery Yogurt It is an organic yogurt that is thick and smooth and is satiating as a snack. One cup of Maple Hill Creamery contains 170 calories and 10 gm fat, 11 gm sugar, and 8 gm protein. It does not contain added colors, hidden sugars, or growth hormones. The ingredients in Maple Hill Creamery include non-homogenized whole milk and live and active cultures.

Kids need nutrition for their physical and mental development. Therefore, it is important to include healthy foods in their daily meals. One or two basic meals a day are easy to prepare, but parents find it difficult to find healthy snacks to satiate their kids’ hunger. Working parents often face challenges since most snacks have elaborate recipes. Try these seven healthy kid snack recipes that are easy to make at home: Rainbow fruit skewers One of the most simple snacks involves lots of colorful fruits. This recipe has no cook time and takes less than 15 minutes to prepare. Further, this is gluten-free and vegetarian and has no added sugar. You will need a few skewers and fruits of different colors. One possible combination is raspberry, strawberry, tangerine, mango, pineapple, kiwi, red and green grapes, and blueberries. This snack has about 60 kcal per skewer, but you can change the combination with other fruits once in a while.  Chocolate-dipped banana popsicles Most kids love reaching to the freezer and sucking on a popsicle when hungry. But the high sugar and preservative content can prove to be harmful to their health. Bananas are naturally sweet. They provide quick boosts of energy and are full of fiber.

Making kids eat healthier is a skill that most parents master gradually. Children tend to eat smaller portions but require lots of energy and nutrition from their food. This is why parents need to come up with unique ways to fill their plates with the most nutritious food. Kids can be picky when it comes to green veggies and healthy food. However, here are some ways to get kids to eat healthier: Get creative with meals Perhaps the most obvious way of making children excited about eating better is by adding a little excitement to their meals. For instance, star-shaped cookie cutters can be used to portion rice or shape mini-omelets. Younger kids love to see pictures and colors on their plates, and as they grow older, parents can get creative with skewers and food picks to make snacks for kids seem interesting. Older kids may enjoy games at the table or even themed meals. For instance, you can eat like cave dwellers once a week or add unique utensils to the table. Try to be creative and make mealtime unique for children. Add nutrient-rich foods Carrots, pumpkins, tomatoes, and papayas are rich in beta-carotene and carotenoids that support healthy vision.

Probiotics have gained significant popularity in the last two decades, and rightly so. They can be had through fermented foods or supplements and are primarily linked to benefit digestive health and immune function. The term “probiotic” comes from the Latin words pro and biota, meaning “for life.” While bacteria have a widespread reputation for causing disease, many Northern Europeans are known to consume these beneficial microorganisms to achieve well-balanced health. How probiotics work Probiotics are good and healthy bacteria that are found in probiotic foods and other supplements. They care for gut health and help maintain a healthy gut microbiome. They are found in fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh and kefir. They are also available in supplements like capsules, powders, and liquid beverages. Many digestive specialists recommend probiotic foods for curing conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and food regurgitation. Some recent studies have also pointed out that probiotic foods can delay the development of allergies in children, prevent vaginal infections in women, and promote overall health. The body develops a lot of bacteria through the consumption of probiotic food, which offers a plethora of benefits for one’s health. Here is the list of benefits: Improved digestion Studies have pointed out that over one million Americans suffer from some form of digestive disorders like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and irritable bowel syndrome.

When the most popular snacks for kids are loaded with preservatives and added sugar, it can be too much of a task for parents to pick suitable options. Healthy snacks can be tasty too, and you can pack various nutritious snacks for your kids to school. You can explore multiple healthy snack options and ensure that your child gets the proper nutrients that are crucial for them. Here are some healthy snacks that kids love: Whole-grain crackers Whole-grain crackers are a healthy substitute for biscuits that have high added sugar. You can pack them for school or keep a box in the car. You can even combine whole-grain crackers with peanut butter, cheese and hummus. Change these toppings periodically based on your child’s preference. Annie’s Whole Wheat Bunnies are a major hit among kids, and this snack has zero artificial preservatives. Make sure the crackers are packed with protein, fiber, and not too much sugar. Yogurt Kids need a sufficient source of calcium, and sometimes they can get fussy about drinking milk. Yogurt is an ideal snack option as you get to play around with them and combine it with fruits or make yogurt pops. The protein in yogurt can be beneficial for your child’s growth, and probiotic yogurt has bacteria that are good for the digestive system.