The foods and beverages we put into our bodies can make a huge difference in our overall health. More specifically, the right foods and drinks added to our daily diet can help naturally boost our immunity against various viruses.
An extra level of protection is never a bad thing when it comes to fighting off sickness. A body that is full of rich vitamins and nutrients can better fend off a virus or combat it quicker and more effectively. Add these fruits, vegetables, and ingredients into your diet consistently to reap the benefits of an improved immune system.
Almonds
If you want to help yourself avoid a cold or the flu, snack on almonds each day. Just half a cup of almonds provides your body with vitamin E so it can fight against potential illness. If you don’t like eating almonds plain, you can slice them and toss them into a salad, or include them in a smoothie.
Elderberries
Elderberries are great for your immune system because they are full of vitamin C and fiber. You can add elderberries to a fruit salad, yogurt, or smoothie. It’s also easy to find elderberries in the form or a liquid or powder for easy consumption. These berries are quickly becoming one of the most sought-after ingredients when eating to boost immunity.
Garlic
Garlic has been known to help decrease your chances of getting sick, with a cold or the flu. This ingredient is used in many alternative medicinal practices, but can easily be added to our diets for its benefits. It provides the most impact when eaten raw, but cooked garlic is still healthy and helpful. Next time you’re making your favorite pasta dish, add a little more garlic than usual, your immune system will thank you!
Red Bell Peppers
While all types of peppers are a healthy choice, red bell peppers offer the most vitamin C. A red bell pepper has twice the vitamin C as an orange! We all know that vitamin C directly and positively impacts our immune systems and overall health. The best part about this ingredient is that it is so easy to enjoy. Slice up a red pepper for a quick snack, add it to scrambled eggs in the morning, or chop it up and toss it in a salad.
Salmon
Salmon is an example of another antioxidant-rich food that you can add to your diet for an immune boost. Eating salmon once a week can increase your intake of antioxidants, among other beneficial vitamins and nutrients like omega-3. Besides its nutritional value, salmon is also considered a lean protein with less fat than traditional red meats.
Spinach
Spinach, cooked and raw, is full of folate, fiber, and vitamin C. Folate assists the body when it creates new cells and repairs existing DNA. The fiber and vitamin C from spinach directly benefit the immune system. Add spinach to sandwiches, salads, omelets, and more to benefit from the nutrition it offers.
Sunflower Seeds
Add a little crunch to your diet and help your immunity at the same time! Sunflower seeds are packed with Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant. An antioxidant means that the nutrients from the sunflower seeds work in your body to fight against potential damage to vulnerable cells.
Sweet Potatoes
Help your body by swapping out traditional potatoes for sweet potatoes. You can eat sweet potatoes mashed, roasted, twice baked, and as an alternative to french fries! These orange potatoes offer vitamins A and C, that help your immune system function better. The better your immune system is functioning, the more effectively it can fight illness.
Yogurt
Yogurt is well known for being a healthy food that is beneficial to your diet. But did you know that it can also directly impact your immune system? Yogurt helps improve gut health, and a significant part of our immune system exists in our gastrointestinal tract. The best yogurt for your body is plain and unsweetened, so you are not adding sugar to your diet. Take yogurt to the next level by eating it with sliced fruit mixed in that also boosts immunity like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries.
The wide variety of foods on this list means that they can easily be added to any meal type. Breakfast is an excellent opportunity to enjoy yogurt and elderberries, while lunch can be enhanced with spinach and sweet potatoes. Dinner is a chance to introduce salmon and garlic into your diet. And, snacktime is excellent for a handful of almonds or sunflower seeds or sliced red bell pepper.
Help boost your immunity naturally by adding some or all of these foods to your diet. Take advantage of their vitamins and nutrients to directly and positively impact your body. By adding even just a few of these into your diet, you can prepare your immune system to better fight off illnesses like a cold and the flu. Eat these now and reap the benefits later of fewer illnesses or less severe sicknesses throughout the year.
