It might sound silly, but you really are what you eat
It’s no surprise that a lot of us are talking about how we can stay safe and healthy right now. When it comes to getting sick, the strength of our immune system can really determine how quickly and easily we recover.
While there are a multitude of factors involved in how strong one's immune system is, such as their DNA, underlying illnesses, autoimmune disorders and even where you live, there are some things that remain in your control. Possibly the most exciting aspect of our immunity is food - we all love food don’t we?
How immune systems are affected by food
Food is well-known for the different ways it can help us, such as the vitamins found in foods, or the muscle-repairing protein found in meats and beans. We all know that food is what keeps our bodies moving, but when it comes to the immune system there are some foods that work better than others.
Sugar-rich foods, for instance, slow our immune system cells that attack bacteria - so it’s not so great to be chowing down on a chocolate bar during flu season. On the other hand, garlic is known to have wonderful immunity boosting properties, which is great news for those of us who can’t get enough of the stuff!
Does that mean you need to change your entire diet?
Absolutely not! If you’re a big chocolate lover, then even during the nastiest cold you should still be allowed (and encouraged) to enjoy the things you love! Instead, here at Living Goodness, we take the “more variety means more immunity” approach. Essentially this means that while you can still enjoy all the foods you love, by adding in a range of foods you’re not only allowing for a wider variety of nutrients to enter your body, but also a wider variety of flavours and textures.
Food should be exciting, experimental, and enjoyable, and what better time to experiment with new foods than during a lockdown? If you have some extra time on your hands, now is the perfect time to try out new foods and recipes, and add in some extra nutrients to help boost your immune system.
What foods should you add to your diet?
If you are looking for some new additions to your meals to boost your immunity, here are a few that pack a serious punch and taste amazing too!
Citrus fruits
Winter is fast approaching, which is a fantastic time to grab some seasonal citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges. They’ve come at the perfect time too because they’re packed with immunity boosting Vitamin C! Vitamin C increases production of white blood cells AKA your White Knights that fight off infections. If you aren’t keen to eat an entire lemon, why not cook your chicken with lemon juice? Or you could add oranges to your salad for a flavour kick.
Spinach
I’m sure we all know how healthy spinach is, but now’s a great time to start adding it to your meals. Not only is it rich in the same Vitamin C that makes citrus fruits so great, but it’s also full of antioxidants that also boost our white blood cells. If you’re not a huge fan of your leafy greens then you’re not alone. Luckily spinach wilts really easily, so can be added to curries, pastas, and numerous other dishes while barely changing the flavour or texture. It’s also great in smoothies!
Turmeric
Well known for its extremely powerful colour (it can actually be used as a dying agent), you might want to be careful not to spill this spice on your clothes. However, just as powerful as its colour is, are its anti-inflammatory properties. Used for centuries and centuries to reduce arthritis and other inflammation-based problems, this colourful spice is having its moment in the spotlight. It is, of course, great in a curry, but don’t be afraid to add it to your tea, or even to your banana bread. It’s an extremely versatile spice that can really “spice” up any dish ;)
Sauerkraut and kimchi
Did you really think we forgot about these? Of course not! In our eyes you really cannot beat the immunity boosting properties of the live cultures in sauerkraut and kimchi. Lactobacillus is a powerhouse when it comes to fighting off bad bacteria and keeping your immunity strong. It’s also extremely tasty, so why not give it a go this winter? It comes in a variety of flavours meaning there’s something for everyone to love, whether it’s Asian inspired dishes such as bibimbap, or a good hearty sandwich. With the variety of other nutrients you find in sauerkraut such as Vitamin C and K, you’ll be making a huge difference to your health.
What do you do to stay healthy? Is it mum’s secret chicken soup recipe, or do you swear by something else? Let us know in the comments!