Rae Udy

RECIPES: Cranberry Punch, Yogurt Dip, Avocado Yogurt Dip, Creamy Herb Yogurt Dip, Creamy Onion Yogurt Dip, Italian Yogurt Dip, Picante Yogurt Dip, Summer Fruit Yogurt Dip

By Rae Udy

We all know onions and garlic are famous for causing bad breath but new findings suggest some foods can fight the bacteria that cause gum infection and bad breath.
Harold Katz, D.D.S of the California Breath Clinic in Los Angeles, found sugar-free yogurt, cranberry juice, green tea, parsley and foods high in vitamin C can help get rid of bad breath by helping digestion or by shielding the tongue against bacteria.
Researchers gave halitosis sufferers six ounces of sugar-free yogurt a day for six weeks and 80 percent had better breath at the end of the study. “Yogurt’s good bacteria shield the tongue so bad breath bacteria can’t grow there,” said Katz.
Cranberry juice is a standby remedy for urinary infections but Dr. Katz suggests the powerful juice also prevents smelly bacteria from sticking to the surface of teeth and casing bad breath. Drinking four to eight ounces a day helps control halitosis. Make sure the juice is sugar-free because the bad bacteria will feed on the sugar and make the odors stronger.
Green tea was also shown to wipe out the stinky sulphur compounds in the mouth that cause bad breath. Parsley contains a natural breath freshener called chlorophyll and the simple remedy for bad breath is to munch on a sprig after a meal.
People with the highest levels of inflammation-quelling vitamin D and gum-strengthening vitamin C are the least likely to develop gum disease. “The bacteria that cause chronic gum infection also cause bad breath,” says Dr. Katz. He recommends a daily dose of 200 to 400 mg. of vitamin D and 1,000 mg. of vitamin C.
Dr. Katz also encourages drinking at least eight glasses of good old-fashioned water every day to keep the body’s natural mouthwash, the saliva, flowing to keep breath fresh.

CRANBERRY PUNCH
1 quart sugar-free cranberry juice
1 quart pineapple juice
1 three-ounce can frozen undiluted lemonade
1 quart cold water
1 28 ounce bottle ginger ale, chilled
Mix juices and water and chill until time to serve. Pour into punch bowl and add ginger ale and ice. Serves 12.

BASIC YOGURT DIP AND VARIATIONS
1 three-ounce package low-fat cream cheese
1 eight-ounce carton low-fat unsweetened yogurt
Soften cream cheese to room temperature. Place in mixing bowl and beat with whisk or mixer until smooth. Add yogurt and beat well until fluffy. Cover and chill until used as dip for fresh vegetables, fruits or crackers.

AVOCADO YOGURT DIP: To your prepared yogurt dip add:
1 avocado, peeled and chopped fine
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 green onions with tops
1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 tomato, chopped
Mix well and serve with tortilla chips. Yields about two cups.

CREAMY HERB YOGURT DIP: To your prepared yogurt dip add:
1 Tablespoon each: finely chopped onion, fresh parsley, chives
¼ (one-quarter) teaspoon garlic powder
Mix well and serve with fresh vegetables to dip. Yields one cup.

CREAMY ONION YOGURT DIP: To your prepared yogurt dip add:
1 ounce dry onion soup mix
1 Tablespoon snipped fresh parsley
Mix well and chill covered in refrigerator for two hours or more to blend flavors. Serve with chips or crusty bread.

ITALIAN YOGURT DIP: To your prepared yogurt dip add:
2 Tablespoons low-fat Italian salad dressing
1 teaspoon finely chopped chives or parsley
Mix well and serve with crisp vegetables as a dip or over salad as a dressing.

PICANTE YOGURT DIP: To your prepared yogurt dip add:
¼ (one-quarter) cup salsa
1 Tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
1 Tablespoon sliced green olives
Mix well and serve with tortilla chips, fresh vegetables or spread on crackers.

SUMMER FRUIT DIP: To your prepared yogurt dip add:
2 Tablespoons honey
½ (one-half) teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix well and serve with fresh fruit cut into bite-size pieces.

Source:
www.curesforbadbreath.com/bad-breath-and-diet/food-remedies