• View ecochildsplay’s profile on Facebook
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Twitter
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Instagram
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Pinterest
  • View Jennifer Lance’s profile on LinkedIn
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on YouTube
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Google+

Eco Child's Play

Live a greener, healthier life!

  • Environment
  • Pregnancy
  • Food & Recipes
  • Health News
  • Parenting
  • Green Toys
  • Beauty & Beauty Products
  • Green Home & Cleaning
  • Contact

9 Foods That Boost Immunity

Here I thought flu season was behind me, but no, apparently flu season is still going strong. 

We all know the best way to get through cold and flu season is a healthy dose of prevention.  Frequently washing your hands, regularly cleaning germ hotspots, and getting enough sleep top the list of preventative tips. 

Also on the list: drinking plenty of water and eating a varied diet.  But exactly what are the best foods to include in that varied diet?  According to MSNBC, we should favor 9 immunity-boosting foods to supercharge our body’s resistance to the flu virus and the common cold.

  1. Yogurt.  Yogurt contains active cultures, or probiotics, that aid the digestive system in fighting off disease.  Specifically recommended is the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri, which “appears to stimulate white blood cells.”  Stonyfield Farm is the only brand in the US to contain this strain.
  2. Foods rich in beta-carotene.  Think orange: sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, pumpkin and cantaloupe.  Beta-carotene supplies your body with vitamin A, which is essential for the formation of healthy skin.  Your skin acts as a physical barrier against viruses and germs.
  3. Black or green tea.  Apparently drinking five daily cups of tea transforms T cells into “Hulk cells” that produce 10 times more cold and flu virus-fighting proteins.
  4. Chicken soup.  This tried-and-true remedy thins mucus and keeps inflammatory white cells from moving to the bronchial tubes, which leads to cold symptoms.  Adding spices to your soup may have additional health benefits.
  5. Beef, or zinc-rich foods such as oysters, fortified cereals, pork, poultry, yogurt or milk.  Zinc is essential for germ-fighting white blood cells; even a slight zinc deficiency puts you at greater risk for infection.
  6. Mushrooms.  These fungi boost white cell production and make them act more aggressively against infection.
  7. Fish and shellfish.  The selenium found in fish and shellfish increase production of cytokines- proteins which help clear out flu viruses.
  8. Garlic.  Yum, my favorite.  Garlic contains allicin, which fights infection.  Studies also suggest that garlic lovers are less likely to develop some cancers.  MSNBC recommends frequently adding chopped garlic to your meals, as well as eating two raw cloves daily.
  9. Oats and barley.  These grains reportedly help to increase immunity, heal wounds more quickly and boost the efficacy of antibiotics.

Photo Credit: FotoosVanRobin under Creative Commons 

  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • WhatsApp
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe!

« Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Play Activity
Kids Who Watch Too Much TV Become Junk Food Adults »

Comments

  1. Anna M says

    February 20, 2009 at 8:23 am

    I adore garlic for boosting my immunity, and great to read about your attention to zinc in foods for immune health benefits. I’ve recently learned through my holistic doctor that I am deficient in a particular type of zinc, which will help with a heavy metal detox. I also add a multi-strain probiotic supplement to my yogurt (love Stonyfield Farms) to get the benefit of multiple probiotic strains. Good to know I’m on track for keeping the bad bugs at bay!

    -Anna M

    Reply
  2. Sara says

    February 20, 2009 at 8:27 pm

    Very useful information! I’ve been sick more this year than I ever have before and have been looking for ways to naturally boost my immunity.

    Reply
  3. Mary Hilton says

    February 23, 2009 at 6:25 am

    Thanks for the tips. I’m a probiotic convert. I like yogurt, my son doesn’t, so I give him a chewable (called Vidazorb???) Definitely has cut down on the colds and he’s eating better. Thanks for the validation of chicken soup too. Its a miracle worker!

    Reply
  4. abbie says

    December 9, 2010 at 6:30 pm

    This is great information. Passing it on and adding a lot of these to our meals for the holidays to prepare us for traveling. Thanks for the advice!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. How Sweet it is: Brew Your Own Iced Tea : Eco Child’s Play says:
    March 2, 2009 at 5:45 am

    […] Ahh, the joys of iced tea.  Even in the depths of winter, sipping a tall glass of sweet iced tea calls to mind lazing around on the porch under a warm midsummer sun.  What’s more, it’s even good for you! […]

    Reply
  2. Spring Allergies: Combat Them Naturally : Eco Child’s Play says:
    March 17, 2009 at 7:01 am

    […] a probiotic supplement to help increase your immune system (in addition to the GI benefits) or eat lots active […]

    Reply
  3. Boost Your Immune System says:
    March 17, 2009 at 2:20 pm

    […] 9 Foods That Boost Immunity I adore garlic for boosting my immunity, and great to read about your attention to zinc in foods for immune health benefits.  […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search Content

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter


About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

Contact Eco Child’s Play

Eco-Friendly Decorating: How Removable Wallpaper Can Reduce Waste

Plants Over Plastics! Repurpose Compostable Home Products

More from the archives!

5 Reasons You Should Hang Your Laundry Outside

"Parenting" Fail: "Baby Talk" Magazine Screws Up Penis Care Advice

California County Bans McDonald's Happy Meals for High Calories

Teaching Kids to Give Back: 3 Easy, Safe Ideas for Helping Homeless Families

Trouble in Toyland: U.S. Public Interest Group’s 2008 Report on Toy Safety

Convenient Plastic Container Free Dropps Laundry & Dishwashing Pods

cbd salve joy organics

CBD Products that Actually Deliver: Joy Organics

Information

  • About & Contact
  • Archive
  • Blog
  • Consulting Services
  • Disclaimer, Disclosure, & Sponsored Posts
  • Privacy Policy
back to school

Should Kids go Back to School Barefoot?

NY Times Blames Co-Sleeping for SIDS with NO Mention of Flame Retardants in Crib Mattresses

My Small Town Could Become The Solar Energy Capitol

Hank D and the Bee: A Greener Cartoon

Organic vs. Conventional: Is the Proof in the Nutrition?

Popular Categories

  • Breastfeeding
  • Health News
  • Natural Childbirth
  • Parenting
  • Education
  • Product Review
  • Green Toys

Get our posts via email

Please stay in touch!

You might also like to read…

Celeb Storytellers

Genius Starts with "Sickly" Youths

Unassisted Childbirth: One Woman's Story

Easter Recipes

5 Easter Recipes & 5 Easter Egg Ideas for Spring

Legos

After Paris Climate Accord Exit, What Next? Support Committed Green Energy Companies like Lego

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.