I recently read an article that said there are over 200 pathogens that cause the “common cold” and it is neither common nor does it only attack during low temperatures. As soon as schools starts, and the fall season begins, it seems like everyone starts catching the notorious cold.
From a traditional perspective, the cold can only attack a body that isn’t in balance. When the season change, but our eating habits don’t, we create a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria to thrive in. The fall is wet and cold, and continuing to eat summer foods that are wet and cold is probably the worst thing you can do to your immune system.
Because we are no longer connected to our farms or even backyard gardens, we are not in tune to what grows in what seasons. This is the first year, in over a decade, where I’ve been able to plant a vegetable garden again. What you learn from planting and growing food, or even shopping at a local farmer’s market, is that you don’t’ always have access to certain foods all year round.
It is from the wisdom of Allah SWT that we are to change our eating habits according to the seasons. If it doesn’t grow in the fall, it probably means your body doesn’t need it in this climate.
As city dwellers, who are disconnected to the farms, who only shop in mega stores that imports out of seasons foods all year round, we are completely out of touch with what we should be eating, according to the divine plan.
Here’s 5 ways you can beat the common cold this fall and winter.
- Eliminate foods that are not in season. Do not eat cucumbers, raw tomatoes, melons etc if you live in a colder climate. In Toronto, my cucumbers stopped growing towards the end of August as our temperature took a major drop. I quickly noticed my family starting to sniffle with the drop of temperature, while we were still indulging in our summer foods. Adjusting our diet, enables us to thrive all year round.
- Add foods that are hot in nature. In my garden, the walnuts are ready for foraging and we’ve collected them and hulled them. Nuts are hot and dry and are perfect for the cold and wet weather. Citrus fruits and apples are harvested in the fall, which makes perfect sense because they are loaded with vitamin C that boosts the immune system.
- Raw foods like salad are great for summer but hot vegetable soups and meat stews are healing in the colder temperatures. Adjust your plate and your body will thank you for it… all winter long.
- As the weather gets colder, I started added herbal teas that rebalance the body and boost the immune system. Oregano or thyme tea works wonders for this rebalancing.
- Dairy consumption in the fall/winter needs to be adjusted as well. If you think about it from a logical perspective, cows can’t produce milk all year long. Their bodies need a break. Cows need grass in order to produce nutritious milk, and the winter doesn’t provide them with the diet they need to produce the optimal milk. It makes sense to drink less milk in the fall and winter. That doesn’t mean we cut out all dairy in the fall/winter. This is a time where we adjust to eat more sour dairy like yogurt and some cheeses, and ensure any milk consumption is taken warm, with spices to make it more digestible and less mucous forming.