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We all know that it is important to eat healthily, but did you know that some foods naturally give your immune system a boost?
This can be especially important to keep in mind in times of stress, illness, or the ever-dreaded cold and flu season. Here are a few foods that you should be eating to keep your immune system performing at its very best.
Eat these foods to boost your immune system
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are just bursting with flavor, and have 130% of the daily value of vitamin A you need. Plus 30% of the daily value of vitamin C that you need. They also contain a healthy dose of fiber, no cholesterol, no fat, and only 100 calories in each one.
Vitamins A and C are very important when it comes to keeping your immune system functioning properly. There are also tons of ways that you prepare sweet potatoes so you can eat them often and not get bored with the same old thing.
Here’s a Sweet Potato Chili recipe that sounds delicious!
Garlic
Garlic has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties which make it a superfood when it comes to boosting your immune system.
Allicin is the active ingredient in garlic. Several studies have shown that people who took a supplement with it caught less than half as many colds as participants who took a placebo.
The duration of the colds was also shorter for those participants. You can add garlic to nearly any savory dish that you are cooking. If you don’t like the taste garlic supplements work too.
Want fresh garlic? Take a look at our Garlic Farm website – we can ship anywhere in Canada.
Ginger
Ginger is full of flavor and it has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Recent scientific studies have even shown that ginger stimulates the immune system. This helps to kill viruses like those that cause the common cold and flu.
Ginger can help to soothe a cough, and also helps to settle a queasy stomach. Drinking ginger tea regularly is an excellent way to boost your immune system. It may even prevent you from ever getting a cold in the first place.
To make ginger tea, simply slice some thin pieces off of the root and place in a cup of boiling water to steep. You can also add ginger to stir-fries, soups or curries.
A little grated ginger makes a wonderful addition to some baked goods and marinades for your favorite meat.
Spinach
Spinach is full of vitamin C, and folate, both of which boost your immune system. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that fights off infection. It also helps to replenish other antioxidants in the body.
Spinach also contains a healthy dose of zinc which many people take as a supplement when they have a cold. Throw it in a salad, a smoothie, or your stir fry. You will reap the benefits from both raw and cooked spinach.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is packed full of antioxidants, as well as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties. It’s a great spice to give your immune system a boost.
It also helps to lower blood sugar and may help to lower blood pressure as well. Cinnamon can easily be added to your morning coffee or tea, baked goods, and smoothies.
You can also add a pinch of cinnamon to savory dishes that have another warming spice like cumin or turmeric in them.
Blueberries
Blueberries are a superfood and the small little berries pack a powerful punch when it comes to your health and boosting your immune system.
They are filled with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber. They really help to boost your immune system. Blueberries can also help to lower your blood pressure, prevent heart disease, boost your brain health, and lower blood sugar.
You should consider adding blueberries to your diet to improve your health.
These are just a few of the foods that you should be eating if you want to improve your health and give your immune system a boost to prevent you from getting sick in the first place.
The more of these foods and others that you can add to your diet, the better you will feel. Many of these immune-boosting foods can also be enjoyed together for an even more powerful boost to your immune system.
Wanting to make sure you have a well stocked Pantry over the winter months? Check out these Pantry Essentials to keep on hand.
Check out our Recipe Collection here on Country Living – nothing but fresh and healthy (often homegrown) food here! Well….we do have some sugary Christmas treats too.