It’s officially sniffles season and I feel like everyone around me is getting sick. Whether you’re battling a cold, a lingering cough, or just wanting to stay healthy this season, here are a few of my easy and realistic tips to boost your immune system.
Nourish Your Body With Whole Foods
Do I sound like a broken record yet? Eating high-quality and as-close-to-nature-as-possible food is the best medicine for any ailment. I can’t stress enough how much your diet impacts your immune system. This winter, make your plate as colorful as possible—think leafy greens, sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, and berries. These are loaded with vitamins like C and A, antioxidants, and zinc to keep your immune cells firing on all cylinders.
Not only should we prioritize eating as many colors as possible, but also plenty of high-quality protein and fat. The high-protein tab on my website has tons of recipes to feed your entire family! What I mean by eating high-quality protein is including any animal or plant based protein with every meal or snack, aiming for 100+ grams of protein per day. If you’re interested in learning more about protein consumption, my NYT Bestselling Cookbook has a crash course on all things nutrition.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Drinking plenty of water during sick season is quite possibly the easiest way to avoid the sniffles. I know it seems like such a simple answer, but adequate hydration is the key to a healthy immune system. Just a few of the reasons why it pays to stay hydrated this season:
- Detoxify your liver and kidneys by flushing out any toxins
- Keep your lymphatic system moving to prevent stagnation
- Mucous membranes (your body’s first defense against illness) stay moist and trap germs before they can enter your system
If you find it hard to drink enough in winter (so many of us do, no worries), try keeping your hydration interesting with herbal tea and electrolyte supplements. I’ll link a few of my favorites below:
Level Up Your Supplement Routine
On to of eating a healthy diet and staying hydrated, I swear by my supplement routine. This time of year I find a daily probiotic and colostrum to be incredibly effective at keeping a cold away. You can find all my recommended brands and supplements (and some discount codes!) in this blog post.
