In our busy day to day lives, it can seem impossible to stick to a diet or nutrition plan that adheres to your budget and your busy schedule. Regardless of your lifestyle, fitness goals or personal goals, food can help support you in your daily life by boosting your immune system. This reduces your risk of illness, all just by including a few specific foods in your diet. If you’re looking to make healthy swaps in your diet, or are struggling with constantly feeling sick and tired, keep reading to learn more about how your diet can impact your immune system.
If you’re in need of health and wellness guidance, AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst can help. In addition to our walk-in urgent care services, our clinic offers preventative healthcare services such as physical exams, diagnostic testing services and wellness guidance services for the whole family. We never require that you schedule an appointment, simply walk into the clinic or schedule an appointment online today.
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Can Eating Certain Foods Give Your Immunity From Illnesses?
Our immune systems are complex. Every day, behind the scenes, your body breaks down toxins and fuels itself using the food that you put into your body. Although it seems to do this on its own, what you put into your body directly affects your immune system’s ability to function. Medical research has found that the foods that you eat directly impact your immune system’s strength. If you aren’t putting the right nutrients into your body, it is harder for your immune system to fully protect you against infection.
Although foods affect your immune system’s strength, eating the correct foods cannot give you complete immunity to illnesses. You can contract illnesses in many different ways, and there is no fool proof way to prevent your body from ever coming into contact with a bacteria or virus that will cause an infection. Eating the right foods can certainly make your immune system stronger, which will help your body fight off infections more effectively and lead to less severe symptoms.
Foods That Boost Your Immunity
You may be wondering what these magical immune boosting foods are. The truth is that many foods that boost your immune system likely are foods that you’re already eating. Foods contain micronutrients, and even though you may not know it, many of the common foods we eat everyday have amazing health benefits.
Some foods that are known for boosting your immunity include:
- Citrus: Citrus fruits such as oranges are high in vitamin C, which is a known immunity power house.
- Leafy Greens: Leafy greens like spinach and kale are high in antioxidants which help your body heal infections. They also are high in vitamin C and K. The darker the leaf, the better!
- Fish Oil: Fish oil is high in healthy fats. Omega 3 fatty acids help activate your white blood cells which are the backbone to your immune system. Fish also has a high level of vitamin D which has been shown to fortify your immune system and make it more effective.
- Nuts: Nuts are high in vitamins and are a great energy source to fuel your body which can help keep your immune system alert.
Tips for Eating for a Strong Immune System
Eating for good immune system health is not going to guarantee that you never get sick again. However, incorporating just a few of these foods into your everyday diet can have serious health benefits. You may notice how many of these foods are fresh fruits and vegetables or ingredients that you have to add to meals. Don’t let this overwhelm you. Here are some simple tips and tricks to help you obtain your health goals:
- Buy frozen over fresh: When it comes to fruits, vegetables and even meats, buying frozen is often cheaper. Frozen foods are frozen at peak freshness, meaning that frozen foods have the same nutritional value, or sometimes even more, than consuming fresh foods.
- Don’t overdo it: Although these foods are great for your overall health, there’s no pressure to only consume foods that are good for your immunity. Finding a few options that you like and eat regularly is much better than forcing yourself to eat foods that you don’t enjoy simply for the health benefits. All foods have nutritional value.
- Try Combining Ingredients: If you live a busy lifestyle but still want to focus on including immune boosting foods, try taking them to go in the form of a smoothie. Smoothies are a great way to pack in nutrients in a format that is easy to eat and safe to bring on the road with you.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst for Walk-In Health & Wellness Services
At AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst, your health is our number one priority. That’s why we offer a variety of health and wellness services in addition to our urgent care services. Our medical providers are board-certified and available daily to help you reach your health goals. With a full laboratory on-site, our facility is equipped to deal with a wide range of health concerns all without leaving the clinic. If you’re looking for reliable healthcare that is available when you need it, look no further than AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst. Our clinic accepts most medical insurance plans and offers affordable care for patients paying out of pocket. Walk in today.
