Probably the most talked about thing among women in the history of the world.  The following is not a thesis, it’s a blog about staying healthy in the current crisis. So I’ll stick to the most important and basic facts. I like these top ten tips from Harvard University because they’re simple and logical.

Plate power – 10 tips for healthy eating

1. Choose good carbs, not no carbs. Whole grains are your best bet.

2. Pay attention to the protein package. Fish, poultry, nuts, and beans are the best choices.

3. Choose foods with healthy fats, limit foods high in saturated fat, and avoid foods with trans fat. Plant oils, nuts, and fish are the healthiest sources.

4. Choose a fibre-filled diet, rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.

5. Eat more vegetables and fruits. Go for colour and variety—dark green, yellow, orange, and red.

6. Calcium is important. But milk isn’t the only source.

7. Water is best to quench your thirst. Skip the sugary and diet drinks, and go easy on the milk and juice.

8. Eating less salt is good for everyone’s health. Choose more fresh foods and fewer processed foods.

9. Moderate drinking can be healthy—but not for everyone. You must weigh the benefits and risks. Moderate means no more than 7 drinks per week.

10. A daily multivitamin is a great nutrition insurance policy. Some extra vitamin D may add an extra health boost – you can get it simply from sunlight.

What else do we need to remember?

• Don’t skip breakfast. Include some protein in your breakfast whenever you can.
• Vitamin and mineral supplements are never as good as the quality you will get if you actually EAT them in whole foods like veggies, fruit, meat, nuts and fish.
• If your diet is already rich in vitamins and minerals and you take supplements, your body will simply excrete the excess. No harm done.
• When you eat good quality whole foods your body understands how to process and use them for your health. When you eat junk there are many components your body just can’t process or use so it either stores them as fat or excretes them.
• Be kind to your body this winter and eat a variety of whole foods of all colours and skip the junk. Your body will respond with a big thumbs up and a ‘thank you!’

A final word on boosting your immunity through what you eat… there’s a thousand theories floating around: things like eat more vitamin C, Echinacea, ginger, vitamin E, garlic, wheatgrass shots, vitamin B6 and so on and so on. The truth is really so much more simple. Eat the right food. Sometimes the answers are not the ones we like – sometimes the truth hurts! Here’s the truth about what to do for your immune system, again from Harvard University. It seems so simple. Let’s all give it a go…

Healthy ways to strengthen your immune system

1. Don’t smoke.
2. Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
3. Exercise regularly.
4. Maintain a healthy weight.
5. If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
6. Get adequate sleep.
7. Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently.