5 simple snacks for Crohn’s disease While the consumption of any specific type of food doesn’t cause Crohn’s disease, it can be responsible for triggering a flare-up. The lack of a proper diet can cause problems like nutritional deficiencies and weight loss. So, anyone undergoing treatment for Crohn’s disease should pay special attention to what they eat. To help you out, here is a list of some snacks that are highly nutritious as well as easy on the gut. Eggs One of the best snacks one can have is hard-boiled eggs. Simple and quick to make, these can be packed in the lunchbox every day. They are a rich source of protein, choline, and antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin that fight free radical damage. Additionally, this low-calorie snack also contains vitamin A, B2, B5, and B12, and minerals including phosphorus and selenium that integral for overall health. Avocados Loaded with monosaturated fats, avocados are great for heart health. Likewise, they are a rich source of B vitamins and potassium, nutrients that are essential for someone who is dealing with Crohn’s disease. They also contain gut-friendly soluble fiber that aids digestion. Avocados can be used in the form of a sandwich spread, dip, or can even be eaten as is.

Some researchers believe that the consumption of processed foods and the lack of adequate fruits and vegetables in the diet could increase the risk of asthma. While there is no specific diet recommended for asthma, a nutritious one is an integral step towards preventing any recurrent or serious symptoms. So, what should people undergoing treatment for severe asthma eat? Some studies observed that a diet containing vitamins C and E, flavonoids, magnesium, selenium, beta-carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids can diminish the risk of asthma. Many of these nutrients can be instrumental in lowering inflammation, protecting cells from damage, and strengthening the overall immunity. Here’s a list of fruits and vegetables that could keep the symptoms of asthma from resurfacing. Carrots Apples Cantaloupe Avocado Berries Spinach Pomegranates Tomatoes Kale Banana Broccoli Foods rarely trigger an asthma attack; however, people undergoing treatment for severe asthma should be mindful about any allergic reactions and food intolerances. Items such as eggs, fish, milk, tree nuts, wheat, soy, shellfish, and peanuts are a common cause of allergies that could progress into a serious episode of asthma. Likewise, patients should steer clear of processed foods that contain preservatives like sulfites. Typically, they are present in wine, dried fruits, bottled lemon and lime juice, shrimp, and maraschino cherries.

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the innermost lining of your large intestine and rectum. Symptoms can include cramping, diarrhea, rectal pain or bleeding, problems controlling bowel movements, weight loss, fever and fatigue. The severity of symptoms increase over time and can impair your ability to perform even the simplest of tasks. There is no cure for ulcerative colitis. Although the cause of this debilitating disease is unknown, the symptoms can be managed with dietary restrictions and a low stress lifestyle. If you are diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a physician may advise a low-FODMAP diet plan. FODMAPs are certain sugars and/or carbohydrates that are found in foods that can irritate a sensitive intestinal tract. Foods to avoid for colitis sufferers include: 1. Dairy When looking into how an ulcerative colitis diet can help your symptoms, it is best to avoid dairy products. This includes butter, milk, yogurt, and cheese. These items are high in FODMAPS and will aggravate your digestive system. 2. Nuts and seeds Most people suffering from ulcerative colitis are advised to have a low fiber diet. This means that nuts that are high in fiber should be avoided if possible.

With over 100 types of cancer causing pain and discomfort for those fighting the disease, any relief a cancer patient can access is a blessing. Amidst treatments and therapies like chemo and radiation, cancer fighters need access to any available resources that will help them win their battle. Among those resources are tasty, convenient snacks that help mitigate the side effects of chemo and radiation. Below are a few great snack options that help cancer fighters become cancer survivors: 1. Peanut butter jelly time You won’t just be humming that catchy little jingle. You will also be taking a smack at your annoying cancer. Let your lips snack away on peanut butter sandwiches with natural fruit jelly. The peanuts give you needed protein, while the fruit offers numerous essential nutrients. Plus, you now have the “Peanut Butter Jelly Time” song to help you laugh away some of those worries. If you cannot stand the song, take it off on your cancer. 2. Say cheese Cheese is a convenient snack that can be prepared and paired in several convenient ways. It is perfect for snacking and the calcium is great for your strength. It provides calcium, protein, healthy fat and several vitamins and nutrients.

Keeping up with your dog’s health is just as complex as keeping up with our own. Just like humans, dogs need a mix of proteins, fats, minerals, carbohydrates, vitamins, and water. By keeping up with your dog’s nutrition, you’re in turn: keeping their muscles strong, keeping their fur coat shiny, aiding in their digestive system, preventing constipation, and building up their immunity to countless diseases. Making sure your dog has dog food filled with all these different and crucial things might sound like a daunting task, but it’s probably a lot easier than you think.  You just need to keep these tips in mind when picking out healthy food for your dog:  1. Dog age and activity level How old your dog is should be one of the first things to consider when putting together a diet for them. A 6-month-old puppy who is still growing and plays all day is going to need more calories and nutrients than a 10-year-old dog who’s just a couch potato. Your dog’s size can also play a role, with some manufacturers making dog food specifically for larger or smaller breeds.  2. Read labels  Reading all the labels on every dog food package is probably the most effective way of knowing what’s in each brand and if the product has all the things your dog needs.

As a cat ages, its body begins to deteriorate and its metabolic performance levels start to drop. This is unavoidable with aging, especially in the age group extending beyond 10 years of living. While some things are unavoidable in terms of physical health of your cat, others can be tamed or prepped prior to reaching this age. If you start feeding your cat healthy treats in part with their diets, you can help them live a longer, stable life. Below is a look at some of the healthy options on the market for cats as well as some of the conditions that would require the inclusion of a healthy alternative: 1. Gluten free cat treats One of the main sources of energy a cat receives comes from their diet. Energy levels can increase or decrease based on this diet, so the importance of food comes full-circle with keeping your cat healthy. Gluten free cat treats have been introduced to better help maintain these energy levels. The protein gluten has been shown to cause auto-immune problems as we age, so infusing gluten free options into your cat’s diet can help reduce one of the main illnesses pets encounter. Removing the processed raw materials from your cat’s diet also promotes the production of natural energy.

A migraine is more than just a headache. It’s a neurological condition characterized by recurrent headaches that are moderate to severe. They can present themselves in various kinds of pain usually on one side of the head, such as throbbing, stabbing, or pulsing so immense that you feel your heartbeat. These headaches are so severe in nature that they cause nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.  While researchers don’t know exactly what causes a migraine, there are some contributing factors that tend to trigger symptoms. Certain foods, such as dairy products, additives, preservatives and dyes in foods, alcohol, caffeine, lack of sleep, seasonal changes, molds, dust, mildews. Consider following a migraine diet: 1. Caffeine  Caffeinated beverages like soda, coffee, tea, and chocolate tend to constrict the blood vessels in the body. Caffeine-withdrawal may trigger a migraine.  2. Stress  Stress is very much alive in our world and seems to get worse with each passing year. When you are stressed out there are chemicals released in your brain that change the blood vessels, which can trigger a migraine. 3. Dyes, Additives, Preservatives Prepared and processed foods are overloaded with additives, dyes, and preservatives. While it’s easy to think you may have a food allergy, it might be a food sensitivity that triggers your migraine.

Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in men, with more than 180,000 cases reported per year. The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland which produces seminal fluid that transports and nourishes sperm. The cancer grows slowly, showing no symptoms while still in its early stages. Once it has grown in size, symptoms can include trouble urinating, blood in semen, less force in the urine stream, and erectile dysfunction.  The risk of prostate cancer increases with age and obesity has been known to increase the likelihood of diagnosis. For undeterminable reasons, black men have a significantly higher chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer than men of other races. Prostate cancer treatments include radiation, hormone, and chemotherapy. There are ways to help decrease your risk of prostate cancer, however, by leading a healthy lifestyle. One of the best means of prevention include incorporating the following foods into your diet: 1. Broccoli Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, are rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals which are great for cancer prevention. Other vegetables to add to your plate include cauliflower, cabbage, and kale.  2. Tomatoes Tomatoes are high in lycopene, an antioxidant believed to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

My mother used to tell me, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and when it comes to cancer, she’s absolutely right. The best way to fight cancer is to try to prevent it in the first place. This isn’t to say that you can completely prevent cancer from forming because there are several environmental or genetic factors that are out of our control. There are, though, ways to live a healthier lifestyle that can go a long way in limiting the risks. Avoiding common unhealthy behavior, like not smoking cigarettes, limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting regular exercise are all great steps to ward off cancer. It is crucial to follow a healthy diet when undergoing radiation therapy and chemotherapy as these therapies can burden the nutrition system in addition to the cancer itself. Another great method is to avoid cancer-causing foods and adopt a balanced diet, which we all understand can have a powerful effect on our overall health. The following snacks into your diet may help prevent cancer and speed recovery for cancer patients undergoing chemo or radiation: 1. Apples Apples contain polyphenols, which are believed to contain anticancer properties. Polyphenols can prevent inflammation, infections, and cardiovascular disease and research even suggests that they possess tumor-fighting properties, making them an amazing cancer prevention food to add to your diet.

While we all encounter breathing problems during our lives (due to a common cold or allergies), some chronic conditions, such as severe asthma or COPD, can lead to dangerous symptoms. These symptoms are often triggered by environmental factors. For instance, they may also be seasonal (i.e., triggered by plants or pollen). However, certain foods may also trigger breathing issues. Here are five foods that can instigate trouble: 1. Acidic foods and drinks These products produce acid which should remain in the stomach. Sometimes they come back up and cause a condition known as acid reflux. It is also commonly called heartburn. Acid is not where it is supposed to be in the body. One of the symptoms is difficulty breathing. Basically the acid produces a burning feeling. It can produce a sensation that is described as taking away your breath. Avoid caffeine and any food that triggers the breathing problem. 2. Cold cuts Foods such as bacon and ham have nitrates as additives. Companies put these substances in their products for color or to extend the expiration date. Unfortunately, they have the side effect of producing problems with the lungs. Anyone suffering from asthma needs to limit their intake of cold cuts.