5 Foods that can help your immune system

1. Nuts:

First up on our list of foods that are great for your immune system are nuts.  We recently highlighted the great benefits of nuts in our ‘get some nuts’ article, and your immune system certainly benefits from the addition of nuts to your diet.  Nuts are full of antioxidants and vitamins and are also a great source of the mineral zinc, which really helps the immune system.  Another mineral that helps the immune system fight off illness and disease is selenium and one nut in particular packs a real punch when it comes to selenium is the Brazil nut.  Our flaxseed, nuts and COQ10 mix is a great source of selenium, helping support the normal function of your immune system.

2.  Berries:

Berries are a great source of vitamin C which is thought to help prevent damage to your cells and also protects the immune system against deficiencies.  Dark berries like blackberries, strawberries and blueberries not only taste great but they are also a great source of flavanols which are highly effective antioxidants.  Try to take a mix of berries rather than just taking one or two, as combining them can often give your body the best boost.

3.  Fish:

Another food group that is great for your immune system is fish, particularly more oily fish like tuna, mackerel and salmon.  These fish are a great source of healthy fats for your body, in particular omega 3, which the body can’t produce on its own.  Fish is a great source of Zinc, which our bodies are unable to make naturally, so it’s important that you find ways of consuming it.  Zinc helps your immune system in repairing damaged cells, so try to include fish in your diet on a weekly basis.

4.  Sweet potatoes:

Next on our list is a food that can be sliced, diced, mashed, chipped or even turned into a soup.  We’re talking about sweet potato and it is great for your body because it is packed full of antioxidants and vitamin A.  Vitamin A helps keep the skin healthy and as it is our largest organ, having healthy skin can be one way of helping fight off infection to your body and immune system.  Sweet potato is also a good source of carotenoids which also help your immune system battle disease and infection.

5. Chocolate:

The last food on our list may seem a bit of a surprise but believe it or not, chocolate can actually be good for the immune system.  Chocolate contains cocoa which is an immune boosting food and eating chocolate (or cocoa) that is low in fat and sugar can help increase the good cholesterol in your body.  It’s important to find a healthy source of cocoa – low in fat and sugar, so rather than rushing out to your corner shop and stocking up on chocolate bars, why not add a helping of our flaxseed, cocoa and berries mix to your food.  Our cocoa has 75% reduced fat when compared to most other dark chocolates, meaning not only will it taste good, but your body can also look forward to enjoying the great benefits of this mix.

One way to ensure you feel great in 2014 is by eating the right foods that will really benefit your body.  Whether its breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a midday snack, ensuring you are getting the right food into your body can help you feel great on the inside and look much healthier on the outside.

Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter and let us know which food on our list you intend to eat more of in 2014 to help boost your immune system.  You can also visit our recipes page for some great ideas on meals that will really benefit your immune system.