Top Immunity Boosting Winter Foods

Top Immunity Boosting Winter Food Tips

It might seem like Winter is almost over, but there’s a bit of cold and windy weather to come, and we still need to protect ourselves against winter illness. If you suffered from a cold or flu during the winter of 2017, then you weren’t alone – it was the worst outbreak of flu on record, and it’s feared that 2018 may see similar numbers.[i] We spoke to Dr Cris Beer (pictured), who shared her dietary advice on how to stay well this winter, below. The steps to follow, and foods to eat are super simple, and easy to incorporate into your daily routine.

“A strong immune system – your defense system which helps fight colds and flu – begins with your diet, which is why I recommend the following foods to help support your winter health” says Dr Beer.

ACE your health

The vitamins A, C and E are all antioxidants, which are found in various foods, and can help support your immune system. Antioxidant rich foods include leeks, onions, garlic, pumpkin, cruciferous veg, such as broccoli and cauliflower, lentils, tomatoes and herbs including thyme and oregano.[ii]

Vitamin C, also known as the classic immune-friendly ingredient [iii], can be found in a number of seasonal fruits, such as kiwi fruit, blueberries and of course the humble orange.

My advice? Keep your diet rich in lean meats, and seasonal fruit and veg to ensure you’re covering the antioxidant bases.

Don’t forget your Z’s

I mean zinc of course! Zinc is a must-have mineral for immune function. [v] It has often been used to support healthy skin and eye health. If you are deficient in zinc, then your body may not be performing at its best level. A diet rich in zinc includes these foods: red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, oysters, crab, whole grains and dairy products. [vi]