Healthy Foods for a Healthy Immune System!
Feeding your body certain foods may help keep your immune system strong. If you’re looking for ways to help stave off winter colds or the flu, your first step should be to add healthy foods to your diet. There are many delicious foods to choose from, so even the pickiest eaters need not worry about choices. Below are some great suggestions of immune-boosting foods to add to your diet to help boost your immune system.
1. Vitamin C Immune-Boosting Foods
Vitamin C is vital for continued health. Because your body doesn’t produce or store it, you must seek food sources that contain this essential vitamin. Many fruits and vegetables are high in vitamin C. Some of these include:
- Oranges
- Strawberries
- Papaya
- Yellow peppers
- Kiwis
- Kale
- Sweet potatoes
- Broccoli
2. Whole-Plant Foods
Whole-plant foods are rich in nutrients and antioxidants and may give you an upper hand against harmful pathogens. Whole-plant foods include:
- Whole grains
- Vegetables
- Plant-based protein
- Legumes
- Seeds and nuts
3. Healthy Fats
Healthy fats may boost your body’s immune response to pathogens by decreasing inflammation. These include:
- Avocados
- Whole eggs
- Cheese
- Fatty fish
- Nuts
- Chia seeds
- Full-fat yogurt
4. Immune-Boosting Foods with Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that can help boost white blood cells, which defend against invaders. Foods rich in zinc include:
- Nuts
- Pumpkin seeds
- Beef, pork, chicken
- Sesame seeds
- Beans
- Oysters, crab, lobster
If you aren’t sure that you get enough of the above foods, you can supplement your nutrition with Performance Inspired’s Whole Food Multi Vitamin or our Zinc Plus.
Diversity in food choices is imperative to ensure proper nutrition. Eating just one of these immune-boosting foods won’t be enough to help fight off sickness, even if you eat it continuously. You must eat a healthy diet, full of these nutrient-rich foods, on a regular basis. Your body will thank you!
