Feel Great, Look Great, Eat Fresh! Here's How! 663a28

What we eat impacts the way we look, feel, our mood, how well our bodies can fight off germs—pretty much our whole lives!  You’ve probably heard that eating fresh, whole foods instead of boxed, chemical-laden processed foods is the way to go.  Whole foods are any foods that are eaten the way they were made in nature, with as little processing as possible.  That can include seeds, nuts, legumes, whole grains, eggs, some meat, and pretty much any fruit or veggie.

BO-RING!  Is that what comes to mind when you think of healthy and ward off disease.  Veggies literally “fill you up” with the just the number of calories you need to fuel your body, but without saturated fat or added sugar. 

Check out our list of some great immunity-boosting fruits and veggies.  Try sneaking a few of these to your meals or snacks:

Blueberries 252x24

This little berry is packed with flavonoids, which have antioxidants.  Antioxidants keep the immune system strong, and studies have shown that people who eat lots of flavonoid-filled foods get fewer colds.  Throw some into your cereal or pancakes.

Oranges and Clementines n5q6p

They have tons of vitamin C, plus they are easy to store in your bag for a quick snack.  Vitamin C may improve immunity and reduce the duration of cold symptoms, although scientists aren't completely sure why yet.

Kiwi 5c2a2x

Here’s another fruit that packs lots of vitamin C.  It’s easy to eat too. Peel it with a knife and enjoy its sweet taste.

Spinach 4q4s3l

It’s considered a “superfood” for a reason—It’s full of flavonoids, carotenoids (another antioxidant), vitamin C and vitamin E.  Baby spinach is milder than the regular variety—Try using it to make a spinach salad with your favorite dressing and cheese.

Broccoli 2z5y4d

Love it or hate it, broccoli is an awesome source of vitamin C and antioxidants.  Try roasting raw broccoli in the oven on a baking sheet at 450 degrees with some olive oil, salt, and parmesan cheese.  Or, throw some into your pasta.

Sweet Potatoes 4e6z2h

Sweet potatoes contain beta carotene, another great source of antioxidants!  Plus they’re rich in vitamin A, which keeps skin healthy.  Eat one like you would a regular baked potato, or make "fries" in the oven.

Red Bell Peppers 383c3l

They’re super rich in vitamin C.  Stir fry them cut up with some brown rice, or roast whole ones in the oven to bring out their natural sweetness.  Throw some in your salad or sandwich wrap.  Snack on some baby bell peppers with your favorite dressing.

Other healthy, immunity-boosting foods 6u2o39

Dark Chocolate 4n2s1c

That’s right, there’s an antioxidant in dark chocolate called theobromine that is good for you.  Next time you go for chocolate, try the dark variety (at least 70% cacao).  And don’t overdo it!  Even dark chocolate is still dessert.

Kefir 70g33

If you like yogurt, try this fermented milk product.  It’s kind of like drinkable yogurt, but contains more probiotics to boost immunity.  It can also be good for digestion and soothing for the stomach.  It usually comes in a variety of fruit flavors.

Green Tea 4i2n58

Green tea also contains flavonoids, so if you’re a tea-drinker, try the green kind for an extra immunity kick!

Sunflower Seeds 592x5b

The vitamin E in these little seeds makes them super healthy, since vitamin E is an antioxidant.  You can usually find them both with and without their shells in grocery stores.  You can throw them in salads, smoothies, or anywhere you want a little extra crunch.

Almonds 3o5i3a

Throw a small bag of these in your backpack for an afternoon snack to fill you up fast and for a good dose of antioxidants.  They contain vitamin E, plus manganese, magnesium and fiber.

Try to include at least a small amount of fruit or veggie with every meal.  It’s not as difficult as you think.  After a while you may even grow to CRAVE them!  Sounds crazy, but it can happen.  Make a habit of choosing produce, whole foods, and nutrient-rich immunity boosters regularly in your diet, and your body will thank you!