Whole-Grain Loaves and Fishes Ward Off Asthma

By Candace Walsh

Serving whole grains and fish for dinner will dramatically protect your child against asthma, according to a recent Dutch study on asthma and diet, and kids who eat the most whole grains and fish are two to three times less likely to have the condition.
What’s the connection? Asthma kicks in when the tissues of the lungs’ airways become inflamed, and both antioxidant-rich whole grains and fatty acid–filled fish have anti-inflammatory properties. If your family doesn’t eat fish, you can get your omega 3s, 6s, and 9s from seed-derived oil.
How much makes a difference? The study showed that children who ate 4 ounces of whole grains daily—multigrain waffles and breads, brown rice, and quinoa—plus 4 ounces of fish weekly, breathed more easily.