Healthy Recipes for Hectic Times anyone? Eat well and stay calm.
We are home, we are stocked and we are eating, but are we eating to power our immune system ? It’s very easy to take a nibble here, a sweet there, miss a meal, have an extra meal and finally eat whatever the jeebers we want. Okay, folks let’s not come out of this 20 pounds heavier and with a weakened immune system.
Our immune system (even the kids know how to spell that word now !) is our body’s army against bacteria, viruses and disease. It is soldier cells primarily made of white blood cells and protein.
Ways to Boost your Immune System with Food
Protein
Protein based cells needs protein to make more protein. Sounds logical, let’s eat some protein at every meal . Meat, eggs, cheese, soy, nuts,poultry, dairy, fish…
Vitamins
Especially C but also A and E. Citrus fruits are loaded with Vitamin C that seems to increase the production of white blood cells. Your mom probably told you to drink your OJ, right again ! Clementines, oranges, grapefruit, lemons and don’t forget the veggies; Red Bell Peppers, spinach, almonds (vit E) and Broccoli to name a few. I think we still have Broccoli in grocery stores! But, it’s a secret.
Anti-inflammatory
This is one of my personal favourites. These are food and spices that have natural ingredients that boost your fight against inflammation. They are the foods that keep the bad guys in check. Ginger, turmeric, olive oil, berries, green tea, cinnamon and fish oils. And, avoid or reduce the foods that cause inflammation..french fries, soda pop, refined sugars and too much red meat. By the way, moderate amounts of chocolate make the list!
Probiotics
Okay, let’s call in the extra troops. Supplement your good bacteria with more good bacteria. Yogurt, frozen yogurt, yogurt drinks…you get my yoghurt drift ?
Ways to Donate to Food Banks
Don’t forget the food banks, give a little extra at the grocery store if they have a food bank program. My personal favourite are the Harvest of Fresh Food Banks, you can donate online and they will stock up with fresh food for their food bank The food banks need help right now and your donation goes a long way.
Resources: healthline.com and health.harvard.edu
