It’s cold and flu season! While you should comply with important guidelines like getting your annual flu shot and washing your hands regularly, there may be a few things that you can do to naturally boost your immune system as well as to help prevent illness.
Vitamin C
Famous for its illness-fighting properties, vitamin C is essential to get into your diet during winter. Look for bright and colorful foods, and you’ll likely get some vitamin C in your diet. Here are a few foods to try to incorporate:
- Berries
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Melons
- Kale
- Tomato
- Strawberries
- Peppers
- Oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit
- Snow peas
- Sweet potatoes
Vitamin E
Although it’s usually used to care for the skin, vitamin E also helps boost your immune system. Foods that are high in vitamin E are:
- Steamed broccoli
- Avocado
- Greens (chard, mustard, turnip, etc.)
- Nuts
- Pumpkin
- Red peppers
- Sunflower seeds
Beta-Carotene
This vitamin converts into vitamin A in the human body and is a potent immune system booster. Make sure to try foods like:
- Mangoes
- Greens (turnip and collard)
- Spinach
- Peaches and nectarines
- Pumpkin
- Tomatoes
- Oranges and tangerines
- Sweet potato
- Broccoli
- Melons
Zinc
Zinc is often recommended for those fighting a cold and can help prevent illness. Zinc is found in many different foods. These are some of the best sources:
- Oysters
- Red meat
- Poultry
- Beans
- Nuts
- Seafood
- Whole grains
- Dairy products
It’s cold and flu season! While you should comply with important guidelines like getting your annual flu shot and washing your hands regularly, there may be a few things that you can do to naturally boost your immune system as well as to help prevent illness.
Vitamin C
Famous for its illness-fighting properties, vitamin C is essential to get into your diet during winter. Look for bright and colorful foods, and you’ll likely get some vitamin C in your diet. Here are a few foods to try to incorporate:
- Berries
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Melons
- Kale
- Tomato
- Strawberries
- Peppers
- Oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit
- Snow peas
- Sweet potatoes
Vitamin E
Although it’s usually used to care for the skin, vitamin E also helps boost your immune system. Foods that are high in vitamin E are:
- Steamed broccoli
- Avocado
- Greens (chard, mustard, turnip, etc.)
- Nuts
- Pumpkin
- Red peppers
- Sunflower seeds
Beta-Carotene
This vitamin converts into vitamin A in the human body and is a potent immune system booster. Make sure to try foods like:
- Mangoes
- Greens (turnip and collard)
- Spinach
- Peaches and nectarines
- Pumpkin
- Tomatoes
- Oranges and tangerines
- Sweet potato
- Broccoli
- Melons
Zinc
Zinc is often recommended for those fighting a cold and can help prevent illness. Zinc is found in the following foods:
- Oysters
- Red meat
- Poultry
- Beans
- Nuts
- Seafood
- Whole grains
- Dairy products
Elderberry Syrup
Whether you make it yourself or buy it, a small dose of daily elderberry syrup is a great way to help fight off those winter bugs!
