5 Ways To Ditch Your Sweet Tooth In Time For Christmas

If you’ve already polished off the Christmas chocolates then now is the time to learn how to curb your cravings. Follow these top tips to make sure you don’t pile on the pounds over the festive season. 

 

Change your diet

There are many reasons why we all suffer sweet cravings at one time or another - but more often than not it’s because we are lacking something in our diet.

A recent study by U.S. researchers found that teenagers who skipped breakfast were prone to obesity but those who ate a protein-rich breakfasts were found to have less food cravings and were less likely to overeat later in the day.

They concurred that eating a high protein breakfast increased levels of the brain chemical dopamine, the 'feel-good' messenger that regulates food intakes and cravings.

The study's leader, Professor Heather Leidy, of the University of Missouri-Columbia, said: “Our research showed people experience a dramatic decline in cravings for sweet foods when they eat breakfast.

“However, breakfasts that are high in protein also reduced cravings for savoury - or high-fat - foods.

“On the other hand, if breakfast is skipped, these cravings continue to rise throughout the day.”

If you struggle with cravings, try changing your eating habits and eat little and often. This helps keep your blood sugar level stable and eliminates your body’s need for a quick sugar fix.

Adding more substance to your lunch can also help. According to Yale researchers, when women add three ounces of meat, poultry or fish to their lunch, they eat 31 per cent fewer sugar calories during the rest of the day.

Take your mind off it

It can be hard to focus on anything else when a craving strikes, so try going for a walk or doing a workout. Not only will this give you something else to focus on but it will also release endorphins, the same as those released from sweets and treats, to leave us feeling more calm and relaxed.

Walking after a meal is the perfect alternative to a desert and will also help you burn off some of the calories consumed during your meal.

If after trying everything else the cravings are still there, then try brushing your teeth or gargling with mouthwash. As well as the minty flavour, the aftertaste never mixes well with sweets and you should lose your craving.

A little of what you like…

Every now and again the best way to combat a craving is to give in to it, but only in moderation. If you are going to completely fall off the wagon then this option is not for you, but if you want a treat then make sure you go for quality over quantity.

One square of a high quality, high cocoa chocolate bar should curb any craving and is better for you, and lower in calories, than a regular bar.

If you want to create your own snacks so you don’t have to face temptation too often, you can try covering nuts or dried fruit in chocolate or mix the healthier snacks with chocolate chips.

By treating yourself you avoid the feeling of missing out which is often the reason for dieters failing.

Go cold turkey

If you are not the type of personality to be able to stop after one piece of chocolate or a handful of nibbles then the best option to get rid of your sweet tooth is to go cold turkey and cut out sugar completely.

If you can manage 72 hours sugar-free then you will find that not only do the cravings die down but your taste buds will adjust and many things will become too sweet.

Be prepared though as you can feel tired, so if you are going to give it a go it is essential to eat properly to keep your energy levels up.

Change your perfume

We know how a smell can influence our taste buds, even sometimes making us hungry when we thought we were full, but researchers, at St George’s Hospital in London found that the smell of vanilla can have the opposite effect and actually reduce cravings.

Researchers tested a skin aroma patch that releases the aroma of vanilla and found that the test group lost an average of 5lbs a month compared to the placebo group, which lost an average of just 2lbs.

Evidence showed that those wearing the vanilla aroma patches also reported a positive eating change in their diet and felt more in control of what they ate.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/5-ways-ditch-sweet-tooth-time-christmas-090000734.html

Healthy Eating Doable Challenge #12: De-Stress Your Diet

Stress. We all experience it, and for many of us, it can lead to poor eating choices. But research suggests that by tweaking your diet, you can actually fight stress. "What you feel, how you perceive things, and how focused you are is a reflection of brain chemistry—and you have some control over that chemistry based on what you eat," explains Drew Ramsey, M.D., an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University in New York and the coauthor with Tyler Graham of The Happiness Diet: A Nutritional Prescription for a Sharp Brain, Balanced Mood, and Lean, Energized Body. Changing your diet isn't a magic bullet for every emotional problem, but what you eat can help quell short-term anxiety and even fight long-term stress while minimizing its effects on your body and your brain. For this Healthy Eating Doable Challenge, we asked Dr. Ramsey to share his advice on food choices that can help fight stress—and for other hints on how to "de-stress your diet."

4 Tips for Eating to Beat Stress

• Avoid Processed Foods

Full of excess sugar and sodium, trans fats, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and other additives, processed foods "tell lies to your brain, and that is very, very stressful to you as an organism," Dr. Ramsey says. Trans fats, for example, can actually increase your risk for depression.

• Don't skip or skimp on meals

"There's nothing more stressful to the body than erratic, unplanned eating," Dr. Ramsey warns.

• Feed your body food that works

The seven foods listed below are rich in mood-boosting compounds, including the nutrients that Dr. Ramsey refers to as the "essential elements of happiness": vitamin B12, iodine, magnesium, cholesterol, vitamin D, calcium, fiber, folate, vitamin A, omega-3s, vitamin E, and iron. As he writes in The Happiness Diet, these nutrients work together to "fight low mood, low energy, [and] cloudy thinking."

• Eat a super stress-fighter food every day

For this month's Doable Challenge, help keep stress levels in check by eating one of the seven super stress-fighting foods listed below every day (to make it easy, we've suggested recipes from Epicurious, The Happiness Diet, and Dr. Ramsey's latest book, Fifty Shades of Kale, cowritten withJennifer Iserloh). If you miss a day or indulge in some highly processed foods, don't beat yourself up; just start fresh tomorrow. After all, this particular challenge is about reducing stress, not creating it!

Stress-Busting Food #1: Mussels

This bivalve tops Dr. Ramsey's list of stress-reducing foods for a number of reasons. Mussels have a good amount of omega-3 fats, as well as vitamin B12, some vitamin D, folate, iron, and iodine, for a whopping 6 out of 12 "essential elements of happiness." Dr. Ramsey says that just being low in B12—not even technically deficient in the vitamin—can lead to irritability, depression, fuzzy-headedness, and changes in sleep. While fortified cereals, cheese, and yogurt offer some B12, just 1 ounce of mussels has more than 100 percent of the daily value for B12! Plus, mussels by their very nature tend to promote a way of eating that's social, mindful, moderate, and relaxing: "You are not going to pick up the phone when you have mussel hands," Dr. Ramsey jokes. "Generally, when you eat mussels you are going to sit with someone, and you are going to enjoy this big pot of mussels, and you are going to eat slowly."
Recipes to try:
• Spicy Steamed Mussels with Garlic Bread
• Cioppino
• Linguine with Butternut Squash, Spinach, and Mussels

Stress-Busting Food #2: Kale

"One thing that stresses the brain and the body is just simply too many calories," Dr. Ramsey explains. So what makes kale one of his favorite superfoods? "Kale wins out because of nutrient density.… With just a few calories you get an amazing number of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients." By making low-cal kale the centerpiece of a meal, not only do you avoid stressing your body out by overeating, you also cut down on the mental stress that comes with feeling guilty about it. Just 1 cup of kale has almost seven times your daily vitamin K requirement, a key nutrient not just for fighting inflammation but also for the production of anxiety-regulating neurotransmitters. Kale is an excellent source of absorbable calcium; too-low levels of calcium can contribute to anxiety and irritability, as well as worsen PMS symptoms for women. The dark, leafy green is also a great source of mood-boosting folate and a host of phytonutrients.
Recipes to try:
• Google's Braised Chicken and Kale
• Scallion Fish with Sesame Kale
• Kale Pesto with Toasted Walnuts

Stress-Busting Food #3: Dark Chocolate

The health benefits of chocolate are well known: For one, it can boost longevity. But Dr. Ramsey points out another benefit: "Dark chocolate is one of the few foods that have ever been shown to acutely improve mood." Yes, there's some empirical evidence to back up all of our anecdotal evidence that eating chocolate makes you feel better: In a limited trial, subjects who were given dark chocolate squares showed improvement in mood and focus. Cacao beans contain naturally stimulating compounds that promote the release of dopamine. And since it's a natural stimulant, dark chocolate in moderation can help boost energy when you're tired or run-down. As a bonus, "switching from other sweets to dark chocolate means you are getting less sugar, more phytonutrients, and more nutrient density." So you heard it here: Doctor's orders are to have some dark chocolate when you need a pick-me-up.
Recipes to try:
• Almond-Cherry Chocolate Bark
• Deep Dark Chocolate Cookies
• Cocoa Delight

Stress-Busting Food #4: Better Meat

First things first: Cut out processed meats (e.g., hot dogs, pepperoni, deli meat) in favor of seafood, fish, and vegetarian sources of protein; and when you eat pork, lamb, beef, and poultry, choose cuts from animals that are raised in sustainable, humane environments. Meat is a great source of many mood-boosting nutrients, notably protein, iron, and vitamin B12. Iron, for example, helps deliver oxygen throughout the body, and helps your brain produce serotonin, dopamine, and other mood-regulating neurotransmitters. There are vegetarian sources of iron (check out lentils, chickpeas, and spinach), but the most readily absorbable type—heme iron—is found in meat, as well as in poultry and fish. "Meat is misunderstood," says Dr. Ramsey. "It is very nutrient-dense, and pasture-raised, grass-fed, and wild animals yield a better mix of fats, fewer calories, and more antioxidants like vitamin E and beta-carotene, plus a good dose of tryptophan, which is the main building block of serotonin."
Recipes to try:
• Perfect Pork Chops
• Grass-Fed Meatballs Marinara
• Beef and Kale Tacos

Stress-Busting Food #5: Farm-Fresh Eggs

Eggs are "one of the few foods that have both folate and vitamin B12, which are two molecules closely linked to having low mood and anxiety," explains Dr. Ramsey. He also notes that eggs are the top dietary source of choline, "one of the few nutrients that are actually linked to lower levels of anxiety." Eggs also provide vitamin D, a nutrient whose deficiency has been linked to mood problems. And try to opt for eggs from free-range chickens. Why? "When you get a real pasture-raised egg where the animal has lived outside while it was making that egg, you get more nutrients," Dr. Ramsey emphasizes. "You get more omega-3 fats, [and] that dark orange yolk means there's more carotenoids in there." Talk about a good egg.
Recipes to try:
• Egg Sandwich with Green Bean Slaw
• Eggs in Purgatory with Artichoke Hearts, Potatoes, and Capers
• Bibimbap at Home

Stress-Busting Food #6: Purple Potatoes

Whether it's French fries, mashed potatoes, or chips, spuds are a popular source of comfort in times of stress. There are various theories as to why carb-rich foods are so comforting, but Dr. Ramsey notes that eating carbs increases tryptophan (the same chemical responsible for that happy, relaxed, post-turkey buzz at Thanksgiving) as well as serotonin synthesis in the brain. So if potatoes are your carbs of choice, choose spuds that are smaller (with a greater ratio of skin to flesh) and more colorful. By choosing small, unpeeled purple potatoes over an Idaho, you get more nutrients, such as folate, phytonutrients, and fiber, without as much starch. "It's about little swaps," Dr. Ramsey says.
Recipes to try:
• Grilled Potato Smash
• Oven-Roasted Fries
• Haricot Vert, Edamame, and Purple-Potato Salad

Stress-Busting Food #7: Anchovies

Wild salmon gets a lot of press when it comes to its mood-elevating omega-3s, but Dr. Ramsey reminds us that there are other fish in the sea. He's particularly partial to anchovies as a great source of both healthy fat and iodine. Iodine is found in large doses in sea creatures and plants (making seaweed a great vegan source), and is essential for healthy thyroid function; an underactive thyroid can cause a myriad of health problems, including low energy and depression. As it turns out, anchovies are also a super-sustainable and affordable choice when it comes to seafood. Dr. Ramsey likes to make a kale Caesar with anchovy dressing and eggs for the ultimate stress-busting meal; follow his lead and use anchovies to amp up the umami in some of your favorite dishes.
Recipes to try:
• Happy Fish Salad Sandwiches
• Tuscan Kale Caesar Slaw
• Pasta with Spicy Anchovy Sauce and Dill Bread Crumbs

http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/healthy/news/happy-foods-destress-diet-doable-challenges?mbid=synd_cnholiday_food

Matcha Tea: Can This Antioxidant Superfood Give You A Reboot?

Sometimes we all just need a boost. And for most of us, that zing in the tail comes from a lovely big shot of espresso.

Let's face it, most of us are pretty hooked on the brown stuff. And while I do my best not to guzzle too much coffee, I certainly couldn't live without - at the very least - extremely strong tea.ALL THE COFFEE (Yahoo)

But caffeine doesn't really agree with me. This much I know. It gives me the twitches and stops me sleeping even if I have it long before the 3pm cut off that's recommended. So really it's part of a vicious cycle of not sleeping, drinking coffee and, er, not sleeping that leaves me tired yet wired and probably not always operating on my A-Game.

So I've always been intrigued by Matcha Tea. Caffeinated sure, but not to the same levels as black tea and coffee and with a longer 'high' as it were, it sounds right right up my street.

When Bloom sent me some of its new tea powders I decided it was time to ditch the habit, and pick up one loved by Buddhist monks - because surely they've got a better idea of what's good for the body and mind than I do?Whisk up the green tea powder for a frothy drink (Yahoo)

Why Matcha Tea?

The highest grade of green tea you can get, Matcha is a very fine, bright green powder that you mix with hot water to make tea. It's part of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony and is the most expensive and highly prized tea you can get.

It's very high in antioxidants but relatively low in caffeine, making it a good choice for those looking ot cut down. But though it does give a gentle caffeine lift, it also promises better concentration and alertness, over a longer period of time than you'd get from your cwaafeee.

That's because the amino acid L-Theanine present in the tea works with the caffeine to give you slow release energy.Tropical Match by Bloom Teas

What it promises

Matcha tea is said to speed up your metabolism, improve your concentration and boost your energy for up to four hours.

And the Bloom tea I tried awas the Tropical Matcha with mango which promises to taste nice.

What's it really like?

If you've ever tried Matcha tea you'll know it's something of an aquired taste. It's earthy in flavour and though not as bitter as standard green tea, it's not as easy to drink as a builder's brew.

So I was keen to try something that changed the taste without reducing the benefits. And this is a good bet.

Like all fruit teas, it smells more mango-ey than it tastes, but it definitely makes the Matcha more paletable if you're not keen.

Did it give me a tonne of energy?

Well I'm a big fan. I religiously supped my bright green brew every morning at around 11am and found it did give me the energy and concentration I usually lack. It's subtler than coffee - instead of a hit of caffeine careening around my body making me work at 100 miles an hour and then crash, the Matcha did seem to give me a longer energy boost and improved focus.

Plus, even better, it did this without giving me the shakes and twitches coffee and tea tend to, didn't stop me sleeping and didn't give me a crash and cravings for another hit a few hours later.

Did it speed up my metabolism?

Possibly. It's hard to tell in a month. I didn't lose a load of weight but I did feel generally more alert and the improved energy and concentration probably had something to do with a boosted metabolism.

So all in all, I'll be keeping the switch! And it gives me something to chat about with colleagues in the kitchen, which is always nice.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/blogs/health-blog/matcha-tea--can-this-antioxidant-superfood-give-you-a-reboot-183629991.html

9 Health Mistakes Women Don’t Realise They’re Making

Attention ladies; even if you think you’re a fitness and diet guru, we guarantee you’ll be making some of these health mistakes without even realising it.

Cut out these bad habits and you’ll be healthier before you know it.

Unhealthy friends?

Having unhealthy friends

Who you’re friends with can have a big influence on your health without you even realising.

Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine compared obesity to a virus. When your friends gain weight, you’re more likely to gain weight yourself.

That doesn’t mean you need to ditch your friends as soon as they put on a couple of pounds – study author Dr Nicholas Christakis suggests instead taking cues from your healthier friends.

Only relying on cardio

“I can’t work out with weights because I don’t want to bulk up!” you proclaim as you follow the familiar route to the treadmill for the thousandth time. But is there any truth behind this popular excuse?

In short, no.

Far from bulking you up, building muscle will help you to shed the pounds. Experts estimate that for every pound of muscle you gain, you’ll burn an extra seven -13 calories per day.

Any fears you have of looking like She Hulk can be put to bed. Because of lower levels of testosterone, women don’t bulk up anywhere near as quickly as men.

Overusing social media

We all enjoy a sneaky Facebook stalk every once in a while, but do it too often and you could become depressed, according to researchers in Germany.

They found that overuse of Facebook can pose a serious risk to our mental wellbeing.

Checking out other people’s holiday photos was the major culprit, with one in three study participants reporting that this made them feel depressed or lonely.

Twitter is no better, with a University of Vermont study finding that Twitter users gradually become more stressed and unhappy the more they use the site.

Relying on diet products

When your sweet tooth is crying out for sugar, it can be tempting to turn to sugar-free diet options. Sadly these substitute snacks aren’t as guilt-free as you’ve been led to believe.

In place of sugar, manufacturers will often use nasty artificial alternatives to provide that sweet taste.

Aspartame, commonly found in diet drinks, was found to increase your risk of obesity by 41 per cent in a University of Texas Health Science Centre study.

Psychologists in a separate study at Cornell University observed that phrases like ‘sugar-free’ can subconsciously trigger overeating. In some cases, this meant people ate twice as many calories as they would have done if they opted for the full-sugar version.Don't become fixated on your abs (REX)

Focusing on stomach toning

All too often we become fixated on trying to develop a rock hard stomach by performing endless crunches. If this sounds like you, you’re wasting your time.

Want to know just how useless crunches are? A Men’s Health study found that you’d have to do a staggering 22,000 of them to lose just a pound of fat off your stomach.

If you want to lose weight, focus on high intensity interval training instead.

HIIT increases your metabolic rate for up to 24 hours after you exercise, and boosts fat oxidation.

Wearing high heels too often

Who can resist a pair of killer hills for accentuated legs and an instant confidence boost?

Wear them too frequently however, and your feet won’t be thanking you.

Wearing four-inch heels increases the pressure on your feet by around 30 per cent, leading to damaged tendons, reduced circulation and bone and nerve deterioration.Swap heels for flats occasionally and your feet will thank you (AP)

Not getting enough calcium

A recent survey conducted by Creighton University Medical Centre showed that 85% of women don’t get enough calcium per day, which leads to an increased risk of osteoporosis.

It’s recommended that women between the ages 19 to 50 need a daily calcium intake of 1,000mg.

Topping up on calcium is easy with dairy products like milk and natural yoghurt. If dairy doesn’t agree with you, you’ll also find high levels of calcium in fish such as salmon and sardines and even leafy veg.

Using electronics before bed

That one last game of Candy Crush you squeeze in before you hit the hay could be ruining your sleep pattern, if researchers in Sweden are to be believed.

They observed that people who use mobile phones or tablets directly before going to sleep found it harder to doze off, causing lasting health issues.

As well as displaying signs of insomnia, these pre-sleep tech-addicts suffered from headaches throughout the day.

Eating what your date eats

Next time you’re on a hot date, psychologists suggest you need to spend more time checking what’s on your plate than staring into your partner’s eyes.

University of Birmingham researchers have discovered a link between new relationships and weight gain, particularly in women.

According to their findings, when dining with a new partner you subconsciously mirror their portion sizes, which can lead to weight gain if they eat more than you’re used to.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/9-health-mistakes-women-don-t-realise-making-090000295.html

9 Winter Health Myths Busted

Winter does have its downsides. It’s cold, dark and the days just seem to disappear – where did the summer go? That being said, this super-cold season isn’t as bad as people believe.

If we catch a cold or put on a few pounds, we’re quick to blame winter. But in many instances, the season is wrongly accused. From oldwives tales to common misconceptions, we’re separating winter fact from fiction. 

   

Myth 1: You can’t exercise in winter

This would be a great excuse to kick off the running shoes and sit in front of the TV, but the truth is, exercising in winter is perfectly fine.  Research published in Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise claims that it’s actually better for you than running in warmer climates. The cold forces us to pick up the pace, encouraging a faster, harder workout. It burns calories and increases endorphin levels, resulting in a healthier, happier you.

Myth 2: The cold air makes you sick

A classic line from mum – ‘wrap up warm or you’ll catch a cold.’ And whilst the drop in temperature can exacerbate feelings of sickness, there’s no definitive proof that it causes a cold directly.  Only by coming into contact with the germs themselves can you become sick. Flu expert Doctor Thomas Tallman of Cleveland Clinic says we’re “more likely to catch a cold indoors, where it's warm and crowded than outdoors in the chilly air. 

Myth 3: Less sunlight causes depression

The combination of bad weather and shorter days can make us feel down in the dumps. However, there’s nothing to suggest that the lack of sunshine during winter causes widespread depression. Some do suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during this time – a condition that triggers depression-like symptoms such as lethargy, tiredness and withdrawal from family and friends. But this only tends to affect a small percentage, 3-6% of people in the UK. Family and financial stresses are more likely to cause winter blues than a shortage of sunlight.

Myth 4: You can drink less in winter

Whilst you might not feel the need to drink as much water during winter, it’s important to always stay hydrated, whatever the season. During the summer months, the hot and humid climates make us sweat, and naturally we reach for an ice-cold drink. But as you’ll agree, this is less tempting when the temperatures hit freezing outside. Hydration effects everything from energy to concentration, so be sure to top-up the hot teas and water during winter.

Myth 5: Sun cream in winter? Don’t be silly

Despite the lack of sunshine, you still need to apply some level of protection to your skin during the colder months, especially if you’re jetting off for some winter sun. Even skiing and snowboarding trips come with risks. The UV rays reflect off the snow, and this can cause skin damage.

The sudden exposure to sunlight after being wrapped up indoors can have a huge impact on your skin, so it’s better to be on the safe side.  By using an SPF all year round, you reduce the risk of skin cancer and keep your skin looking smooth and healthy.

Myth 6: Winter = weight gain

As much as we’d like to blame the change in season for weight gain, research proves that we’ve no reason to eat more during winter. Medical Director of the Bariatric Institute in Ottawa, Dr. Yoni Freedhoff says “We do know that in hibernating animals there will be seasonal changes in hunger hormones, but there is nothing to suggest that that’s true in people.” The sudden desire for comfort food and cosy nights in comes from our wish to avoid the winter – the cold, the stress, the dark nights – not because we have a biological need to increase our calorie intake.

Myth 7: Winter makes the allergies disappear

If your winter cold won’t budge, it could be allergies. There’s a common misconception that summer is allergy season. However, winter brings its’ own irritants. Being stuck indoors; in warm, temperate climates can flair up itchy eyes, tickly throats and constant sneezes. The best way to distinguish between the two is the length of your symptoms – common colds only tend to last a few days, a week at the maximum. If your symptoms persist for a long period of time, it’s likely to be allergies.

Myth 8: Winter makes your hair fall out

The stress of winter might cause your hair to fall out, but the season itself isn’t the culprit. Research even suggests that summer could potentially be the worst season for hair loss.  A 6-year study conducted by the University Hospital of Zurich found that the ladies tested lost the least amount of hair during winter. The cold can make hair dry and brittle, and reconditioning treatments can help with this.

Myth 9: Alcohol makes you warm

Winter is a great time for socialising, but remember: alcohol doesn’t increase your body’s temperature. The warm feeling you experience when enjoying a glass of wine or beer is the blood dilating and rushing to your cheeks, making them nice and rosy.  This is only temperamental and can be dangerous, as your body isn’t actually as warm as you think it is. You may misjudge the icy-cold temperatures because of the instant feeling alcohol provides – so be careful.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/9-winter-health-myths-busted-090000505.html

How To Get Rid Of A Cold And A Blocked Nose: 12 Remedies

Christmas colds are par for the course this season.

While everyone else is gearing up for the office party, you're all bunged up feeling sorry for yourself.

Sadly, there is no magical cure for the common cold, but there are plenty of things out there to help relieve symptoms such as sinus pains and blocked noses.

Cures for colds and blocked noses! [REX]

We've compiled a list of some of the best and most unusual pieces of advice, so you're not a snotty mess missing out on all the fun.

1. Break Out The Swiss Ball

If you're feverish, then don't attempt this, but as my fitness instructor always used to say "If you're only sick from the neck up, get back on that treadmill!"

The common cold shouldn't stop you from continuing with moderate exercise. In fact, gently working up a sweat can do wonders for seeing off a cold faster, thanks to the endorphin-producing, immune-boosting consequences of a workout.

2. Humifidiers

Blocked noses are really annoying. There are lots of places touting really expensive humidifiers, but actually this really simple steam in haler, for as little as £4.99, works in just the same way!

Simple steam inhaler [Medisure]

3. Coconut Water

Yeah yeah, we know, every man and his dog is trying to sell you on the benefits of coconut water. But besides it being the trendiest thing to drink since Fiji water, there is some evidence to prove it hydrates you at a faster rate than tap water.

And as any good Doctor will tell you, recovering from a cold is all about hydration, hydration, hydration!

(In the absence of coconut water, normal water will also work just fine).

4. Blow The RIGHT Way

Blowing your nose (rather than sniffing) can actually be good for you.

However, there IS a right way to go about it.

Trumpeting really hard isn't just annoying for everyone around you, it also risks damaging blood vessels and pushing the phlegm into the passages between your nose, throat and ears, leaving you open to earache.

The best way to blow is to press on one nostril and gently blow out of the other, in one swift motion. Then repeat on the other side.

5. Get In The Shower

Quite apart from making you feel generally refreshed, a steamy shower can work in the same way as a humidifier - clearing your sinuses.

A hot shower can make you feel better for a number of reasons [REX]

6. Allergy Tablets

Although you should always consult a doctor before using medicine other than for its intended use, tablets for allergies such as hayfever can be useful to those suffering from colds.

They often contain antihistamines, which in some forms can help decrease the swelling in your nasal passages and prevent you from feeling so stuffed up!

7. Raw Onion and Raw Garlic

Yep, it's gross, but eating raw onion and garlic can help. You won't make any friends doing this, but you might get over your cold faster in order to hang out with your old ones.

Cooking onion is thought to strip it of its antimicrobial properties.

Just knock it back! [REX]

8. Dark Chocolate

This isn't just to make you feel better after scarfing raw onion and garlic, but it might help wtih that too!

The theobromine in dark chocolate can help stop persistent coughs and soothe sore throats.

9. Vaporub Babies' Feet

If it's not you but your little one that is feeling ill, popular doctrine says massaging vaporub into their feet and then covering with socks is best practice.

This means the vaporub is far enough away from hands and mouths where it would risk ingestion, but it is able to be absorbed and effective.

Rub on their feet to get them to sleep [REX]

10. Hot Toddies For Everyone!

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, didn't you know.

Sitting around feeling sorry for yourself while missing out on the season's party drinks is no fun.

Hot whiskey and lemon might be an oldie, with limited medical efficacy, but it makes everyone feel better, so who cares right?

11. Saline Solution

Is there anything a bit of salt water can't cure?

Whether it's gargling it three times a day, to spraying it up your nose, saline solution (salt water) can help.

Try dissolving a heaped tablespoon of salt into half a cup of water.

https://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/how-to-get-rid-of-a-cold-and-a-blocked-nose--12-remedies-145022952.html