We’re all familiar with the age-old advice to eat chicken soup when you’re sick, right? It’s been a common practice throughout the world for centuries. And the latest science suggests that though not an out-and-out cure for colds and flu, it really does help with healing.

But were you aware that there’s another highly researched dish that is right up there with chicken soup when it comes to helping when you’re ill? It’s another family favorite—beef stew!

There are several reasons why it’s just as good for you as chicken soup when you’re ill. For instance:

·         Hydration and Electrolytes: When sick, the body loses fluids and minerals through fever or congestion. The broth in stews replenishes these, helping to prevent dehydration.

·         Congestion Relief: Warm, steam-producing liquids like soup and stew help break up mucus and increase the flow of nasal mucus, clearing sinus pressure.

·         Nutrient-Dense & Easy to Digest: Stews often contain cooked, soft vegetables and lean proteins (like chicken or beef) which are easy to digest while providing essential vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin D, to support the immune system.

·         Anti-inflammatory Properties: Specific ingredients commonly found in stews, such as ginger, garlic, and turmeric, are known to soothe inflammation.

·         Comfort and Nutrition: It is a gentle, comforting, and warm meal, often regarded as "food as medicine" that is easy to consume even with a low appetite.

The key is to include specific health-oriented ingredients. Start with a hearty broth to provide the necessary sodium. Toss in plenty of vegetables, such as carrots, onions and celery. Add a few cloves of garlic as well. These will provide the needed vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Boost the protein level by adding beef and round it out with a little grated fresh ginger and turmeric. These will help reduce inflammation and boost immunity.

I’ll close with a favorite beef stew recipe (adapted from www.allrecipes.com)—not just because it’s scrumptious, but because it’s so easy to make. And notice its name—a lovely invitation to rest and recuperate!

Stay-a-Bed Stew

Ingredients:

1 to 2 pounds stew beef
1 bay leaf
2 cups fresh, frozen, or canned peas
1 cup sliced carrots
2 onions chopped
1 teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic minced
pepper to taste
3+ cups mushroom or beef broth
2 to 3 potatoes sliced or chunked
Fresh turmeric and ginger root, grated, to taste (optional)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Combine all the ingredients in a roasting pan and bake for about 5 hours. Serve hot. (Or cook it in a slow cooker for 5+ hours.)

Recipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.