So what we do know about the Covid-19 is that immune compromised people seem to be at the greatest risk of complications or morbidity. Too many people are taking advantage of this time, where fear is circulating making claims that they can prevent, treat or cure Covid-19. It’s a disgusting practice but I will say it certainly doesn’t hurt to do everything we can to stay healthy and eat foods that boost or support our immune system.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but during this time of stress even though our fridge is stocked with fresh vegetables and fruits I seem to keep turning to the pantry. Eating foods I normally wouldn’t think twice about, baked cheese puffs?!?! So I am not immune to stress eating, and I’m not shaming myself when I do but I am also reminding myself this is not how I am going to stay healthy for myself, my kids, and the rest of the world.
Eliminating or cutting out sugar alone will immensely improve your immune system. Stop eating packaged foods with ingredients you can’t even pronounce. I have given nutrition lectures to children and I always said to them, eat the rainbow. During my stress eating times it seems I’m eating a shade of color that doesn’t exist in the rainbow, a shade of tan with some frightening orange color. But there are also days I’m eating the rainbow and I know those days I am also feeling like I’m ready for this long fight. So what else can we do to help our immune system fight. Nature has provided us with so many foods that are powerful antioxidants, immune boosting, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral, etc. But we are on lockdown, so maybe many of those fresh foods are not available to us.
So my top foods that are shelf life stable, and support your immune system are:
Turmeric I have written about before but it deserves its place in this list, it is a very powerful anti-inflammatory and immune enhancer. Being a relatively mild spice it can easily be added to many foods. I personally add it to my smoothie every day. My family loves whole bowl sauce and there are many online recipes for a version of Whole Bowl sauce that not only includes turmeric but other amazing anti-inflammatory immune improving herbs.
Garlic has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an ideal herb for boosting your immune system and adding flavor to most meals.
Sweet potatoes are full of immune supporting vitamins like vitamin A and C. Sweet potatoes are good on their own, as part of a morning hash, made into healthy chips, mashed, etc.
Green tea is a powerful antioxidant. Drinking a cup or two a day is one option but there are also recipes for adding tea to cooking, like cooking pasta in tea instead of water.
Mushrooms are amazing immune modulators and vitamin packed fungi. They of course have a shelf life but the good news is you can buy dried mushrooms and then add them to your meals. Making your own ramen with mushroom broth is a fun way for everyone in the house to doctor up their own dinner.
Finally miso soup. Buy some miso paste and play around with making your own miso soup. Miso is a fermented food that helps balance your GI microbiome. Since the majority of our immune system is made in our gut I think it’s vital we have a healthy GI.
Have fun finding recipes to incorporate some of these immune supportive foods and don’t fret over the times you only reach into the pantry for some beige food.