How to boost your immune system for the cold and flu season
While the fall is a beautiful time of year, it also comes with some added germs. The truth is that cold and flu season is upon us, and there’s no better time than now to take the steps needed to bolster our immune systems to fight off germs that we may come in contact with everywhere we go.
So, if you want to start taking the steps to prevent getting sick and wasting all of your sick days on actually lying in bed sick this cold and flu season, read on.
Boosting Your Immune System the Plant-Based Way
First off, let’s talk about the fact that plant-based eaters already have a leg up when it comes to safeguarding their health and fighting off the cold and flu. Why? Because nutrient-dense plant-based foods like the ones found in Veestro’s meal plans are loaded with anti-inflammatory and naturally immune-boosting properties.
So, here’s a breakdown of the top five plant-based ways to boost your immune system for the upcoming cold and flu season.
#1 Boost Gut Health: Boosting your gut health is key to supporting a strong immune system. In fact, 70% of your immune system is in your gut, and those little microbes in your gut play a large role in keeping you healthy. So, boost your diet with plant-based gut-boosting foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh, miso, and kombucha.
#2 Get Spicy: Add some spice to your foods this fall and winter. Spices like turmeric, ginger, and cayenne pepper are powerful anti-inflammatory options that can help keep your immune system strong all season long. Veestro’s Golden Chickpea Stew is packed full of flavor and immune-boosting ingredients like turmeric and spicy pepper to keep you healthy this year.
#3 Amp up Your Zinc Intake: Zinc plays an important role in supporting immune health. Many cold-soothing cough drops contain zinc to help ease symptoms and ward off the germ, so why not add some extra zinc to your diet as a preventative measure? Reach for more pumpkin seeds, nuts, spinach, and beans this cold and flu season. It may make all the difference in keeping you cold and flu-free.
#4 Get Enough Z’s: Chances are, we all could benefit from more sleep, as many of us simply aren’t getting enough. This becomes even more important during cold and flu season, as slacking on sleep may make you more susceptible to germs. Aim for at least seven hours of quality sleep each night, and if time permits, get a short nap in during the day! This can really make a difference in keeping you healthy all season long.
#5 Wash, Wash, Wash: Oh, and let’s not forget the number one way to prevent the spread of infection. Don’t forget to wash your hands! And, while this may seem like such a basic task, it’s easy to forget to stay on top of handwashing among all the business of day to day life.
Another tip here is to stay away from the harsh chemical-filled antibacterial hand soaps as these are hard on the skin. Stick to plant-based, fragrance-free options, or make your own using castile soap and a few drops of therapeutic-grade essential oils.
Don’t Get Bit By The Flu or Cold Bug This Year
Keep germs at bay by giving your immune system what it needs now to stay healthy all fall and winter long. The power of diet is key to a healthy cold and flu season, so stick to plant-based eating, and take great care of yourself. These tips will be the key to helping you stay healthy, even if everyone else around you seems to be getting sick.
