Our Top 10 Superfoods to Boost Your Immunity
So you’ve been washing your hands, staying home, cleaning your doorknobs, and mastering your home workout routine. Now what? What are some of the other ways you and your family can stay healthy? How about focusing on foods that help your body fight off illness.
Citrus
Everyone has heard that citrus has vitamin C and vitamin C is what you take when you get sick. But vitamin C doesn’t cure colds, it actually just helps bolster your immune system! So, it’s actually more helpful to continually keep vitamin-C rich foods as a staple in your diet to help prevent illnesses, especially if there’s something going around.
HOW TO ENJOY: There’s no wrong way to enjoy citrus! Eating it whole, juicing it for smoothies, or using it as salad dressing, just start eating them!
Broccoli
Ever wonder why every “healthy diet” is always chicken and broccoli or salmon and broccoli? Well, it’s because broccoli is one of the world’s most common superfoods. Broccoli is supercharged with vitamins and minerals. Packed with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as many other antioxidants and fiber, broccoli is literally one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat.
HOW TO ENJOY: A lot of people say broccoli is healthiest raw. And while that is true… the vitamins and minerals are most powerful when they’re raw…. we don’t recommend this if your goal is immunity. Many people are sensitive to cruciferous veggies harsh properties, which over-work your digestive system, leaving your immune system low on energy. A light steam will help break down the fibers for your tummy while keeping most of their minerals intact.
Yogurt
No, not all dairy is good for immunity. In fact MOST dairy is exactly the opposite. However, pure plain yogurt, especially Greek yogurt is full of probiotics which stimulate your immune system to fight diseases!
HOW TO ENJOY: Look for yogurts that have “live and active cultures” printed on the label, like Greek yogurt. Try to get plain yogurts rather than the kinds that are pre-flavored and loaded with sugar. You can sweeten plain yogurt yourself with healthy fruits and a drizzle of honey instead.
Ginger
Ginger is another ingredient many turn to after getting sick but it’s never too late to start. Ginger may help decrease inflammation, which can help reduce symptoms like a sore throat, cough, other inflammatory illnesses.
HOW TO ENJOY: You can eat ginger raw from the root if you like, but most people find it too strong and unpleasant. To make it into tea, remove the skin and julienne, or slice the ginger into thin slices and add to boiling water for 10-20 minutes depending on how strong you like it.
Turmeric
Hey, sometimes LA health trends are right on target. Turmeric has been popping up everywhere lately in lattes and golden milk! But what does this root actually do besides turn everything you own orange?!? Well, it boosts your immunity by increasing the immunomodulating capacity of the body. Yes, that’s a word. We looked it up.
HOW TO ENJOY: Try adding extra turmeric into your diet during periods of stress or during flu season (I think our current situation is an extreme case of both) by adding to soups, on roasted chicken, in smoothies or in your ginger tea!
Bell Peppers
We promise we’re not just saying this because our Stuffed Bell Pepper recipe is seriously delicious. Bell Peppers are a highly underrated form of vitamin C. Ounce for ounce, red bell peppers contain twice as much vitamin C as citrus. They’re also a rich source of beta carotene. Besides boosting your immune system, vitamin C may help maintain healthy skin. And when you’re washing your hands 80 times a day, it doesn’t hurt to have your skin healthy too.
HOW TO ENJOY: I mean, our stuffed bell peppers are really worth a try… but a great way, especially if you’re wanting to snack in front of the TV, is to slice them into “chips” and dip them in hummus or guacamole.
Spinach
I mean, Popeye was a bulked out senior citizen. Need I go on? Not only is spinach an awesome source of plant-protein, but it’s packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, beta carotene, AND vitamin A. It’s basically the Avengers of veggies.
HOW TO ENJOY: Spinach is one of the tastiest of the bitter greens and most people love it as a base to salads. But if you’re quarantined with picky eaters, you can hide spinach in soups and smoothies with a simple trip to the blender.
Kiwi
Kiwi is a tropical fruit we don’t always see out here in California, but if you can get your hands on some we recommend it! These little fun and fuzzy fruits are naturally full of a ton of essential nutrients, including folate, potassium, and vitamin C. Vitamin C boosts white blood cells to fight infection, while kiwi’s other nutrients keep the rest of your body functioning properly.
HOW TO ENJOY: Kiwis are always a good time. Tart and sweet, with a weirdly fuzzy flesh… kids love kiwis! But they have more uses than just raw. Try adding them to your green smoothies in the morning for a bold new flavor.
Sunflower Seeds
Famous as a salty snack, sunflower seeds actually are full of nutrients, like phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin B-6. They’re also incredibly high in vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant known for regulating and maintaining immune system function, just like dark leafy greens!
HOW TO ENJOY: Snacking while you binge your favorite new Netflix show is always a good call, but tossing them on a salad with spinach, bell peppers and avocado? Genius.
Papaya
Another foreign friend that doesn’t always grace our grocers, papaya is packed with vitamin C! In fact, 224% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C in a single papaya. Papayas also have a digestive enzyme called papain that has anti-inflammatory effects to keep your body running smoothly so you can fight infection at full-force.
HOW TO ENJOY: Speaking of smoothly… papayas make for amazing smoothie mix-ins. Creamy, sweet and bursting with juice. Add a little ice, citrus, and some greek yogurt and you’ve got an immunity superfood smoothie that your whole family will love.
