What to Eat for Fresh Kissing Breath

It's Valentine's Day today and it's a day to express your love and one way we express how we love each other is by kissing, but sometimes bad breath can really be a buzz kill. If you're planning on puckering up, eat this first.

If you're having issues with bad breath, it could be that you aren't drinking enough water. Sometimes when I'm dehydrated, I can notice it on myself, so if I can notice it, Glen can notice it, too, so make sure you're drinking plenty of water today. Amy Jamieson-Petonic with the Academy of Nutrition and Diatetics says that drinking plenty of water hydrates the mouth and throat and helps to wash down bacteria and food particles, so bottom's up.

Crunchy foods that are high in fiber really cleanse the palate, so Amy says that apples help generate more saliva which is high in oxygen and oxygen chases away bacteria. Apples also help get rid of plaque (remember "An apple a day keeps the dentist away". Or is that  doctor? Anyway, I digress) which can be a contributor to bad breath. Keep an apple in your bag today. Delicious apples are my favorite.

Chewing gum is kind of a no brainer, but did you know that not only does gum freshen your breath, it also helps stimulate production of saliva and it also removes left over food particles, which, as you recall, can lead to bad breath. If you're going to chew gum, go for the sugar free type that includes something called Xylitol. Amy says that Xylitol helps protect your teeth from cavities. My favorite is Trident White Wintergreen.

I am trying to watch my carbs, but apparently, that's not good for my breath. Amy says that whole grain bread can help with fresh breath because eating a low carb diet can lead to bad breath. That's because when you don't eat a lot of carbs, which gives your body energy, it has to start to burning fat. Amy says that this produces ketones and when ketones are produced, they leave the body via sweat and sometimes your breath. Eating healthy carbs like those found in whole grain bread can help improve your breath.

Cinnamon, Greek yogurt and foods high in Vitamin C can all improve your breath, so at dinner tonight and throughout the day today, choose your foods wisely, grab some Chap Stick and pucker up!