Healing Foods: Building a Healthier Immune System

Winter time is cold and flu season and one of the best ways to stay well is to eat a healthy diet! Eating meals and snacks rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low in saturated fat is the best way to build a strong immune system. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight and adequate sleep also helps prevent colds and flu. Be cautious of the many products that claim to boost or support immune systems because many may not have been scientifically proven. Probiotics can do a lot to help build a healthy immune system and the best kinds are refrigerated. Managing stress with healthy coping skills help keep us well by lowering stress levels. Stress breaks down the immune system. Vitamins C, A and E, zinc and selenium are all are immune building choices. Vitamin C foods include kale, peppers, broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Vitamin E foods include nuts, oils, wheat and greens and vitamin A choices are sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach and collards. Nuts, beans, milk and beef are rich in zinc and meat, dairy, grains and eggs contain selenium. The more colorful the diet, the healthier that it is. You are what you eat, is one of the best things to remember when it comes to staying healthy this new year. Check out my book, Farm Fresh Nutrition for some great recipes full of foods rich in all of these foods and much more!

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