INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you are taking any vitamins or supplements, make sure those supplements are gluten-free as well. Many capsules contain gluten, so try to avoid these types of supplements. Look for the label "gluten-free" on the package, which signals it should be okay for your body. If you can't find one with this label, call manufacturers to see which ones offer gluten-free products. Medications can also contain gluten, especially when they are in capsule form, and it can be difficult to figure out which ones do and do not contain gluten. Talk to your pharmacist for guidance, and if you need to, call the manufacturer of the drug. You may find that the generic version has gluten when the brand name doesn't or vice verse. Lipsticks and lip balms can also cause issues, as many of them contain gluten. The gluten provides the wax-like property that is desirable in these products. Since they are applied to your lips, you may ingest some of the product. You'll likely need to call the manufacturer to find out if a certain product contains gluten, unless "gluten-free" is printed on the label.  Look into natural cosmetic lines and ask a representative of the products if you are unsure. It's also important to check your toothpaste and mouthwash (rarely). The packaging for your toothpaste may also contain gluten. Look into natural products, but make sure that they are gluten free before trying them. While lickable stamps have partially fallen out of use, they can be a source of gluten, so be careful. The glue on lickable envelopes, too, can also contain gluten. When in doubt, it's best to choose the self-sticking options so you don't have to put yourself at risk.

SUMMARY: Check your vitamins and supplements. Check your medications. Read the label for cosmetics and health products. Be wary of lickable glues.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: There are a number of options for vegetarians and vegans when it comes to protein sources as well.  Choose from some of the following options:  Tofu (8 grams of protein in three ounces) is probably one of the most well-known meat substitutes.  Tofu is made of condensed soy milk and is an excellent source of nutrients, including all the essential amino acids our bodies need to function.  Tempeh (16 grams of protein in three ounces) is a cake of partially cooked soybeans.  It is a nutty, mushroom  plant protein that is still fairly unknown to most people.  Seitan (36 grams of protein per half cup) is made from vital wheat gluten. It is often referred to as “the vegetarian wheat meat” because of its “meaty” texture. Chickpeas are low in calories, high in fiber, and a great source of protein, containing about 7.3 grams per half cup.  They provide a nice crunch to your salad.  (Try using them instead of croutons!) Adding nuts and seeds gives your salad a nice texture and some extra crunch.  You have quite a variety to choose from as well:  Almonds (approximately 5 to 6 grams of protein per ounce) Chia seeds (4.7 grams of protein per ounce) Sunflower seeds (7.3 grams of protein per quarter cup) Sesame and poppy seeds (5.4 grams of protein per quarter cup) Beans are an often over-looked option for salads.  However, adding beans can give your salad a heartier and more filling texture in addition to adding protein.  Don’t be afraid to experiment with this flavorful option!  Black beans are somewhat sweet and go well with smoky flavors, like chipotle and bacon.  Pair them with brightly-colored vegetables for a great salad.  Kidney bean are best known for their use in chili, but they can also make a great addition to a spinach salad.  White beans also work for salads.  Try adding them to a Caprese salad for a unique dish.

SUMMARY: Add a meat substitute. Top with toasted chickpeas. Sprinkle with nuts or seeds. Add beans.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Drink 8 glasses of water if you are an adult. For children, the amount of water depends on body weight. Water helps mucus in the lungs to become more liquid. Water or fluids helps mucus to be brought out of the lungs and the nose and mouth more easily. This leads to better breathing. Regular exercise and physical fitness training helps our pulmonary system cope with disease. For most individuals who exercise at sea level, the lungs saturate arterial blood with oxygen more effectively than those who don’t. This means, if there is breathing limitation due to exercising at high altitudes, or asthma or other types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, those who actively exercise may need extra help with ventilation such as an inhaler.  Walking, running, swimming, and cycling are all excellent ways to restore your lungs’ strength. Before you exercise, begin by stretching and bending. Each exercise session should last about 20 to 30 minutes. Stop if you feel short of breath or have palpitations. Smoking is known for being dangerous to health. It is even worse for you if your lungs have been stricken by pneumonia. One effect of nicotine is constriction of the terminal bronchioles of the lungs, which leads to airflow resistance into and out of the lungs. When you are already having trouble breathing, you certainly don’t want your lungs to become even more constricted.  Nicotine also paralyzes the cilia, or the hair-like projections found in the cells that line the airways. Cilia help remove excess fluids and particles--paralyzing them will stop them from helping you remove excess fluids in your airways caused by your pneumonia. Another effect of smoking is the irritation from the smoke itself which causes increased fluid secretion into airway passages. Even when you think you’re all good, you shouldn’t stop taking your antibiotics unless your doctor tells you to do so. People who suddenly stop taking these meds or who do not take their meds on time put themselves at risk for drug resistance. This means antibiotics may not be as effective as they could have been if you don’t follow your doctor’s prescription. Good nutrition helps fight illness and a good balanced diet can give you the vitamins and minerals you usually need. For a little boost, intake of multivitamins or a tablet of Vitamin C once a day may help your immune system.  Adequate amounts of vitamins such as A, B complex, C, E, folic acid, and irons such as iron, zinc, selenium, and copper are required. These vitamins and minerals act as antioxidants and help the immune system fight diseases, especially infectious ones like pneumonia. Zinc sulfate is helpful in the reepithelialization, or in the repair of the lining of your airways. Vitamin D and beta-carotene supplements can also boost your immune system.

SUMMARY:
Drink lots of water.  Exercise regularly.  Quit smoking. Take your antibiotics as prescribed. Get enough vitamins and minerals.