A strong immune system will react quickly to a cut or scrape. It can also help you prevent a bad cold turning into bronchitis or pneumonia. While a healthy immune system can’t prevent every infection, boosting your immune system by adjusting your diet is a way to support all of the physical activities you enjoy and need.
Check the Color
Foods with a lot of antioxidants are extremely good for your immune system. Antioxidants travel through our body and carry away the free radicals that settle in our tissues and create inflammation. While we can’t get away from free radicals entirely, we can get rid of more of them with our diet.
Produce options with strong colors tend to be very high in antioxidants. A handful of bright green grapes or a fruit salad loaded with berries is a terrific choice for anyone hoping to increase their antioxidant intake.
Pair your breakfast fruit salad with salmon and spinach for lunch and with sweet potatoes for dinner and you’ve done your entire body a remarkable amount of good, and given your taste buds a treat!
Supplements Can Help Too
Turmeric, a spice commonly used in Indian food, is extremely high in antioxidants and has inflammation reducing properties. Many people who are prone to stomach upset, gas or bloating can benefit from a turmeric supplement.
Elderberry concentrate, used as a supplement during cold and flu season, can mean the difference between a mild cold and several days in bed. However, it’s important that we all stay away from other folks if we’re contagious!
Beverages
Consider adding green tea to your daily routine to boost your immune system. Be aware that many find this beverage rather astringent; to reduce the risk of stomach upset, pair it with yogurt or a whole grain cereal. Both of these products are also very good supporting foods for your immune system.
Root Veggies and Earthy Foods
Button mushrooms are very high in nutrients, as are carrots, sweet potatoes, rutabagas, and many other root vegetables. Cruciferous vegetables including broccoli and boring old cabbage are also extremely good for both your immune system and your skin; cabbage in particular is high in vitamins and in collagen, so if wrinkles worry you, eat more cabbage.
Proteins
Beans, eggs and meats that aren’t heavily processed can all boost the immune system. Take care to avoid any meats that are very high in salt, such as cured or smoked meats. While they can be a yummy treat, they’re very hard on the body and can produce an inflammatory response.
The inflammatory response comes about when your immune system gets overloaded. If your intake of processed foods, including white flour and refined sugars, is high, your immune system becomes a juggler with too many objects to keep in the air. You may feel bloated or even notice puffiness around your middle. Your internal organs are likely also overloaded and working harder than they have to. Return to plant-based and minimally processed foods while your body comes back into balance.
Cleansing Organs
Your body is always generating waste. We use oxygen and release carbon dioxide, and everyone needs to use the bathroom. Take care with every dietary choice to enjoy foods that will support your:
- kidneys
- liver
- colon
Your ability to absorb all the nutrients possible from your food will function much better if you take good care of these organs with healthy food, lots of water and quality rest. A diet high in plant-based foods is not only inherently high in nutrients, but it will increase your water intake and provide you with the roughage you need.
Even better, a diet low in processed sugars will keep your dentist happy and protect your teeth!
