Foods to Boost Your Immune System for a Very Happy Holidays

The holiday season is upon us… and so is flu season, cold season and general coughy, sniffly, crud season.

Next Level Urgent Care, our favorite trusted urgent care providers, who serve the Houston community at 30+ locations, is doing everything to help us enjoy the holidays without missing a beat. Our Thanksgiving turkeys should be the only things running a high temperature, and Rudolph is the only one who needs a shiny, red nose.

Thankfully, Next Level Urgent Care has shared 15 Immune- Boosting Foods to Add to your Grocery List that can help us stay healthy and ready for all the joy that comes with this merry season! But what makes these such essentials for our grocery lists?

Let’s find out!

Citrus Fruits

We all know vitamin C is a go-to for immune support but many of us don’t realize that it helps jump start white blood cell production, the little fighters that battle infections! Oranges, lemons and grapefruit are great options for getting vitamin c into your system!

Red Bell Peppers

Red bell peppers have high amounts of vitamins A, C and E and antioxidants. As if that wasn’t enough, red bell peppers are packed with beta-carotene and lycopene which further fight off the seasonal crud by regulating inflammation and suppressing pro-inflammatory T-helper cells.

Broccoli

Adding some of broccoli to your diet during the holiday season can definitely guard you against colds and the flu, but it’s also great for your gut health. The fiber content in broccoli keeps your digestive tract clear and ready for holiday yummies!

Garlic

Eating garlic can help boost the virus-fighting T-cells in your bloodstream, making you more able to fight off and reduce the intensity of viral infections like the flu.  Not to mention, garlic naturally affects your adrenal glands’ response to stress! When you eat garlic, your adrenal glands produce less stress hormones, and who doesn’t want that during the holiday hustle and bustle?

Ginger

When you eat ginger, you give your body an extra dose of anti-inflammatory effects and antioxidants, agents that remove damaging oxidizing agents. It also helps soothe nausea and digestive issues that may stem from over-indulging in Grandma’s famous sweet potato pie!

Spinach

This superfood is not only rich in vitamin C, but the antioxidants give your immune system a helping hand! Try adding some fresh spinach to your diet to get as many nutrients as you can!

Yogurt

Another gut-health helper, yogurt is a great booster for your immune system. Specifically, magnesium and selenium, along with the many probiotics, help your body produce immune cells and guard your cells from damage due to illness. i

Almonds

Vitamin E rich almonds protect your cells from free radical damage. The iron and protein they provide are essential for your immune system!

Sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds are a good source of zinc, an element that protects the body from inflammation and pathogens that invade our immunes systems. The tiny seeds pack a large punch with vitamin B1 that breakdown carbs and fats and turn them into the energy we all need to feel merry!

Turmeric

Turmeric helps trigger the body’s antibody responses to effectively fight off infections. Add the seasoning to any meal to prep your body for anything that may be headed its way!

Green Tea

Green tea is loaded with antioxidants and polyphenols that fight disease and illness. Other compounds called catechins also have antiviral properties!

Papaya

Papaya helps maintain blood sugar level and keeps cholesterol in check, which is a great step toward a healthy holiday season! Vitamins A, B, C and K boost the immune system, and potassium, calcium, copper and magnesium help support the total body’s needs.

Kiwi

This sweet little fruit is full of vitamins, of course, but incorporating this handy snack can also help lower your blood pressure, reducing the risks of strokes, heart attacks and other heart-related troubles.

Poultry

Bone health promotes overall health! Getting a boost of protein from chicken or Thanksgiving turkey can give your entire body a nudge in the right direction. Working quality protein rich poultry into your diet 3 to 4 times a week can work wonders for your body and health.

Shellfish

Shrimp, oysters and crabs are insanely delicious! But you might not have known that they contribute to keeping you healthy as well! Like sunflower seeds, shellfish is an excellent source of selenium, an antioxidant that protects your body from the harmful agents attacking our immunities!

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