Do you have a weak Immune System?

What if your favorite foods could help you stay healthy and not get sick?

You probably have most of them already in your fridge:

  • Yogurt: Offers healthy bacteria that helps keep your gut free of disease causing germs.
  • Citrus Fruits: Vitamin C delivered by grapefruit, oranges, etc. is helpful against colds. Vitamin C doesn’t get produced in our bodies, so we must have either the freshest fruits or supplements added each day.
  • Berries: With a wide variety to choose from, you can’t go wrong adding these little nutrient packed sweet treats to your regular diet. From local blueberries and blackberries to imported goji or açai, these tiny little morsels are packed with vitamins and nutrients to give you a boost you need. Enjoy them in your yogurt or smoothie, or as a less sugary but still sweet option for dessert.
  • Brightly colored vegetables: While we often think of citrus fruits as our source of vitamin C, brightly colored vegetables such as red peppers have even higher levels! The beta carotene in carrots is also good for your immune system, along with your eyes and skin too.
  • Broccoli: This is a cruciferous vegetable (along with Brussel sprouts and cabbage) and they contain a compound called sulforaphane which has been known to suppress the growth of breast cancer cells. It also builds up your immune defenses in your gut.
  • Oats & Barley: They contain beta-glucan, which is a type of fiber with antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities which can boost your immunity and help with the healing of wounds.
  • Chicken Soup: The anti-inflammatory properties of many chicken soup ingredients help ease the symptoms of a cold by reducing congestion which strengthens the immune responses.
  • Shellfish: Gobbling up some crab, clams, lobster, and mussels is more than satisfying – it can help you stay illness-free. That’s because these foods are packed with zinc, which “doesn’t get as much attention as many other vitamins and minerals,” but helps immune cells function better. Don’t overdo it though. It can have the reverse effect if you over do it.
  • Almonds: These are a healthy snack to turn to rather than sugar-filled processed foods and can benefit you in many ways. In fact, “Just one ounce has more than 20-percent of your vitamin E and manganese needs, for healthy immune function and are also known as “heart-healthy fats.”
  • Olive oil: A staple in the Mediterranean diet, olive oil is a healthy fat that is good for your heart and brain. It also gives your immune system a boost through its ability to reduce inflammation in your body.
  • Spices: In addition to giving your foods some zing, garlic, ginger, and turmeric are ancient spices that have long been considered to have immune-boosting properties to fight infection. So don’t be shy when it comes to spicing up your dishes.
  • Fish oil: Fish that have high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids such as salmon, tuna or mackerel are known to increase activity among white blood cells, which fight infection. These healthy fats help your immune system and are also good for your heart and brain too.

Take care of yourself this season and add these foods into your daily nutritional intake to

keep your immune system healthy.