Healthy Diet Options are Endless
By Donna Stark
When it comes to your immune system, you can't underestimate the importance of a healthy diet, especially if you are particularly susceptible to infections. It's critical to fuel your body with foods that are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants because they are what keeps your body strong. Without them, you are placing your health at a serious disadvantage and are not giving your body the extra bit of power that it needs to prevent and fight off the infections that come to destroy your week. They say you are what you eat. So let's talk about your diet and get healthy!
Healthy Eating
If you want to help boost and improve your immune system, a healthy diet is a life necessity, but don't be mistaken about what to eat! Many people think that healthy diets can only be found in the produce section at your local grocery store, and even though that's a great place to start, your options aren't limited to only eating pounds and pounds of fruit and veggies. Take a look at some other suggestions for healthy foods that can easily be added to your diet.
- Fish - Oily fish, such as salmon, tuna, and sardines are rich in the omega-3s that help reduce inflammation. Chronic inflammation has been shown to inhibit the body's immune system and contribute to illness and diseases.
- Yogurt - Eating probiotic foods like yogurt is a good way to replenish the "good" bacteria in your body. Probiotics encourage good digestive health, prevent stomach ailments, and lower the risk of upper respiratory infections.
- Tea - When you are feeling under the weather, a hot cup of tea is often the perfect choice for a beverage, but did you know it has even more benefits than simply soothing a sore throat? In addition to boosting the body's immunity, tea also helps to protect against cancer and heart disease.
- Oats - Oats are one of the healthiest grains you could choose and are a great source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. They are known for lowering and maintaining cholesterol and blood sugar levels, helping with weight loss, and reducing the risk of heart disease.
- Milk - Go ahead and showcase that milk mustache! We all know that Vitamin D strengthens our bones and defends against heart disease, but did you know that it also helps to reduce the risk of upper respiratory infections?
- Dark chocolate - Dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients and is one of the best sources of antioxidants you can find. Studies show that dark chocolate can boost your immunity, improve your brain function, and lower the risk of heart disease.
Give Your Body the Power
Consuming a healthy diet will give your body exactly what it needs to help ward off any illnesses or disease. So power it up! Fill your cart with healthy food options and no matter what you do, don't forget that dark chocolate for dessert!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Renton, Wash.