Bottom Line:
When you're ill, food is the last thing on your mind. Everything seems unappetizing when your nose is clogged, and you can’t taste a thing. But, by making healthy food choices, you can become stronger and speed up your recovery. Also, by maintaining a healthy diet, you can strengthen your immune system and perhaps even get sick less often.
Why it Matters:
You’ve heard it before, but it’s true. Food is the fuel for your body. So give your digestive system a break and be sure to eat easily digestible, nutrition-dense foods. It will help your immune system stay strong. Here are a few ideas to get started.
- Bone broth contains minerals that can boost your immune system
- Probiotics found in yogurt can improve your sleep, digestion, and immunity
- Lean meats, especially those with omega-3 fatty acids, can reduce inflammation
Next Steps: A little planning can go a long way. Most of the time, we make poor choices when we are in a rush, or unprepared. And this often results in stopping by a restaurant or taking out food on the run. Create a simple calendar highlighting your meals for the week. Healthy home-cooked meals will not only strengthen your immune system, but it can also help you save money!
Science Source:
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- Chicken soup inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro. Chest. Oct 2000
- Probiotics and immune health. Current Opinion in Gastroenterology. Oct 2011
- Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. The Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Dec 2002
