This year brought the worse influenza season I have seen since 2009. Most people were affected by influenza in some way this year. As the season hopefully winds down, I want to offer suggestions on using foods to prevent influenza and boost your immune system.
1. Butternut Squash
I simply love this mildly sweet, but gentle starchy vegetable. It is an anti-inflammatory food and also is a good immune system enhancer.
2. Sweet Potatoes
You are never wrong eating this starchy vegetable. It has plenty of antioxidants including vitamin C, and beta-carotene that improve immune system function. Carrots are another good option.
3. Mushrooms
This superfood boosts your numbers of T cells and natural killer cells of the immune system making you resistant to viral infection. They also contain selenium, an immunity enhancing trace mineral.
- Black-eyed pea
These flavorful peas contain zinc, a trace metal, that is instrumental in immune system function. Zinc is included in other foods such as pumpkin seeds and pinto beans.
5. Almonds
Almonds contain vitamin E and they help prevent viral infection. Unfortunately, almonds are a dirty fuel so strict portion control is necessary to avoid weight gain. I recommend no more than 10-20 daily. Almonds can be consumed as almond meal, almond oil, or almond butter.