As the swine flu stories hit closer to home, the concern grows. The recent death of a local college student makes the situation more worrisome. Health experts have been trying to keep the public calm stating we should not be fearful because normal precautions are very protective.
Sometimes the headlines and sound bites leave out details that don’t seem important. A death attributed to the swine flu doesn’t mean swine flu caused the death. Complicating factors usually not reported in the headlines need to be taken into consideration.
Nutrition is one of the biggest factors in how well we bounce back from a viral infection. With the recent recession forcing families to tighten their budgets, buying less expensive but highly processed food puts someone at a higher risk of succumbing to a viral exposure.
Media reports have been showing an increase in sales of instant foods that satiate our emotional needs during stressful times. Health writers are warning the public not to fall into the trap of eating nutrition poor foods just to decrease the squeeze on the wallet. With predictions of a high rate of swine flu illness this winter, diet should be the priority.
Skipping over fresh fruits to buy packaged products that have a better shelf life isn’t going to help. A diet high in sugar puts a strain on the immune system, making someone more prone to infectious diseases. This year, children are targeted has being highly vulnerable to the swine flu and the easy access to sugar and high fructose corn syrup could be the reason.
Teenagers drink an average of 18 to 24 oz. of soda a year. In the second quarter of 2008, Dr. Pepper Snapple profits were up 46%. That is a lot of soda drinking with children and teens responding the most to marketing efforts. Energy drinks are just a bad misleading people with a fast burst of energy to the detriment of the immune system.
Dr. Carolyn Dean feels the same way. She noted the recent business boom in KFC and other fast food restaurants. Behind the great taste are genetically modified ingredients, sugar, and trans fats making your body feel like it already has the flu!
Stick to the tried and true advice about nutrition and meal planning. It’s not just helpful for your wallet because, your resistance to disease will be a big plus during this current challenge with the swine flu.
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