Cold season is in full effect! BOO! I have already had some clients get head colds, and the flu. Your diet can play a large role in helping you avoid these inconvenient sicknesses! Here are a couple ways you can use your diet to keep your immune system functioning efficiently!

  Use the power of healthful protein

One of protein’s many jobs is pumping up your ability to make disease-busting antibodies. Just steer clear of fatty red meats and full-fat dairy foods (they promote heart-hazardous inflammation). Pick up healthy-fat, high-protein foods, such as nonfat dairy, skinless white-meat chicken, ground turkey breast, tofu, fish, nuts, and beans.

Load up on colorful eats

Oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, kiwifruit . . . all are loaded with vitamin C and flavonoids, which help your body churn out protective immune cells.

Sip hot tea

People who drink 5 cups (about 3 mugs) of black tea daily produce 10 times more virus-fighting interferon than coffee drinkers.

Spice up your chicken soup

If you catch something anyway, chicken soup shortens its duration by 50%. One theory about why (there are many): Cooked chicken releases cysteine, an amino acid that’s chemically similar to acetylcysteine, a bronchitis drug. Up the soup’s knockout punch to cold and flu bugs by tossing in infection-fighting garlic and hot red pepper, which contains capsaicin, a powerful decongestant.

Smoothies

Load your smoothies with fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C and make a commitment to consume a smoothie at least 3 days a week! If you do this you will have an over abundance of many of the vitamins and nutrients that help fight off sickness!

Exercise

Exercise helps keep your bodies immune system strong. Keeping active also keeps your body functioning at optimal levels, which makes fighting off viruses and colds a little less challenging. If you need help with this one, please reach us at Peak Physique and we will help you out!