Winter bug season is upon us, and lots of people are looking for natural ways to support their immune systems. What we eat can have a big impact on our body’s ability to defend itself from the onslaught of bugs it faces at this time of year. So, if you’re looking for ways you can fuel your body to help stay healthy, take a look at our tips below!
Stick to whole foods
A great starting point for planning meals to help you stay healthy is to make sure they revolve around whole foods. This means foods which have not been processed, so they are in their natural state. These foods usually contain much higher levels of vitamins and minerals that your body needs to fight off infections than processed foods. Try to find ways to make fruits and vegetables the star of dishes you make. This will help you to get all the micronutrients your body requires to stay healthy, and keep away winter bugs.
Gravitate towards plants
When fighting off an infection, your body needs some essential nutrients that are found in greatest abundance in plants. Vitamin C is great at supporting your immune system, and you can get it from lots of sources including citrus fruits and berries. It’s great to combine foods containing various micronutrients together to help your body use them more effectively. For example, consuming foods rich in vitamin C will increase uptake of iron which is prevalent in leafy greens. Another great combination for boosting your immune system is vitamin C and zinc. For this combo try kiwi fruits!
Unusual anti-inflammatory sources
There are a whole range of foods that can help soothe your body while it’s being attacked by winter bugs. These foods contain chemicals that have anti-inflammatory properties and include turmeric and cinnamon. Combining these spices with lemon, ginger and garlic in a broth can be a great way to fight off germs!
Make sure to eat enough!
It can be hard to get enough food into your body when you’re ill, especially if you have a sore throat or feel nauseous. But it is crucial to keep your energy levels up as your body expends a lot of energy trying to fight off the bugs attacking you. Combined with getting lots of rest and drinking plenty of water, making sure you eat enough can help you recover more quickly.
At Vitabeam we want to get healthy, chemical-free, safe food for everyone, and we know the benefits of good food for staying well. Next time you’re feeling under the weather, come back to these tips and try them out for yourself. Hopefully they’ll help you kick whatever it is that’s attacking you!