Cold and Flu Season is here, unfortunately, and I have a few tips and suggestions to help you avoid it!! If your immune system is strong enough you should be able to fight whatever bug comes your way! Eating a healthy balanced diet is one of the best ways to boost your immune system. Here are some foods and supplements to increase during these seasons:
GINGER: Fresh is best. Ginger can be used in a tea, stir-fries, curries, soups, salads, salad dressings, etc. Ginger is an anti-inflammatory (great for relieving mucous build up) and a powerful Antioxidant to fight free radicals in the body.
GARLIC: Antiviral, Antibacterial, and increases cell activity. Use this in dips, dressings, and if you're already sick, crush one garlic clove and add it to honey for a natural "Cough Syrup like" remedy.
ANTIOXIDANTS: Have a rainbow of different colours in your diet with a variety of flavours and textures and you will be sure to get lots of antioxidants to fight free radicals which can cause cell damage and even cell death.
VITAMIN C with BIOFLAVONOIDS: Since we can't produce our own Vitamin C in our bodies and we use ALOT we need to supplement it during periods of Stress and Cold and Flu Season. When we are stressed our adrenal glands use up more Vitamin C as well as when we are fighting to stay healthy. Use Vitamin C throughout the day to keep an ample supply in your system.
VITAMIN D3: Since we aren't getting the Vitamin D from the sun anymore (Has anyone seen the Sun this week?!) we need to supplement. Vitamin D deficiencies are very common in the colder months since we don't have the sun on our skin directly, which is needed to absorb it effectively.
PROBIOTICS: Probiotics are important to feed the healthy gut bacteria in our systems and help boost your immunity, improve digestion, and help to eliminate toxins efficiently.
ECHINACEA: Echinacea has Antiviral and Antibacterial properties as well as increases cell production and cell activity. This is very helpful when fighting off foreign invaders.
AVOID SUGAR!! Processed and Refined Sugars suppress the immune system for up to 8 hours after consumption!! Thats a long time! Natural sugars found in fruit and vegetables are fine.. I'm only talking about the ones found in a package, a slice of white bread, peanut butter and jam, or in preserved orange juice. I know when I was sick as a kid, my mom would give me Jello, flat Ginger Ale, popsicles, and ice cream.. these are the worst things you can have!! (Not to diss my Mom, she did the best she could with what she knew how, raising 7 kids!!) If you are feeling like something sweet, go for raw, unpasteurized Honey which is a powerful boost to the immune system. It contains 27 minerals, 22 amino acids, and 5000 LIVE enzymes! It also contains natural antibiotic and anti antibacterial properties to support healing, reduce swelling, and prevent infections. 1 tbsp a day is all you need to reap all these SWEET benefits of Honey! Now... don't go overboard!! Its still sugar so make sure if you're consuming more than what you would have in your tea to have it with fibre and protein to stabilize your blood sugar.
If it's too late and you already got the cold or flu bug, its never too late to support your immune system and use these tips. My favourite tea this time of year and when I'm sick is a Lemon Ginger Tea. Try this recipe and let me know what you think!! What are your favourite remedies for fighting a cold or boosting your immune system?
GINGER: Fresh is best. Ginger can be used in a tea, stir-fries, curries, soups, salads, salad dressings, etc. Ginger is an anti-inflammatory (great for relieving mucous build up) and a powerful Antioxidant to fight free radicals in the body.
GARLIC: Antiviral, Antibacterial, and increases cell activity. Use this in dips, dressings, and if you're already sick, crush one garlic clove and add it to honey for a natural "Cough Syrup like" remedy.
ANTIOXIDANTS: Have a rainbow of different colours in your diet with a variety of flavours and textures and you will be sure to get lots of antioxidants to fight free radicals which can cause cell damage and even cell death.
VITAMIN C with BIOFLAVONOIDS: Since we can't produce our own Vitamin C in our bodies and we use ALOT we need to supplement it during periods of Stress and Cold and Flu Season. When we are stressed our adrenal glands use up more Vitamin C as well as when we are fighting to stay healthy. Use Vitamin C throughout the day to keep an ample supply in your system.
VITAMIN D3: Since we aren't getting the Vitamin D from the sun anymore (Has anyone seen the Sun this week?!) we need to supplement. Vitamin D deficiencies are very common in the colder months since we don't have the sun on our skin directly, which is needed to absorb it effectively.
PROBIOTICS: Probiotics are important to feed the healthy gut bacteria in our systems and help boost your immunity, improve digestion, and help to eliminate toxins efficiently.
ECHINACEA: Echinacea has Antiviral and Antibacterial properties as well as increases cell production and cell activity. This is very helpful when fighting off foreign invaders.
AVOID SUGAR!! Processed and Refined Sugars suppress the immune system for up to 8 hours after consumption!! Thats a long time! Natural sugars found in fruit and vegetables are fine.. I'm only talking about the ones found in a package, a slice of white bread, peanut butter and jam, or in preserved orange juice. I know when I was sick as a kid, my mom would give me Jello, flat Ginger Ale, popsicles, and ice cream.. these are the worst things you can have!! (Not to diss my Mom, she did the best she could with what she knew how, raising 7 kids!!) If you are feeling like something sweet, go for raw, unpasteurized Honey which is a powerful boost to the immune system. It contains 27 minerals, 22 amino acids, and 5000 LIVE enzymes! It also contains natural antibiotic and anti antibacterial properties to support healing, reduce swelling, and prevent infections. 1 tbsp a day is all you need to reap all these SWEET benefits of Honey! Now... don't go overboard!! Its still sugar so make sure if you're consuming more than what you would have in your tea to have it with fibre and protein to stabilize your blood sugar.
If it's too late and you already got the cold or flu bug, its never too late to support your immune system and use these tips. My favourite tea this time of year and when I'm sick is a Lemon Ginger Tea. Try this recipe and let me know what you think!! What are your favourite remedies for fighting a cold or boosting your immune system?
Lemon Ginger Tea
1 inch of fresh garlic sliced
1 lemon juiced
2 tbs raw honey
5 cloves
1/4 tsp cinnamon
In a small pot add ingredients and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Enjoy!!
1 inch of fresh garlic sliced
1 lemon juiced
2 tbs raw honey
5 cloves
1/4 tsp cinnamon
In a small pot add ingredients and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Enjoy!!
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