If you have been feeling under the weather over the past weeks or months, you are certainly not alone. Colds, flu, and respiratory diseases are far more common during the winter months.
While, in most cases, these conditions aren’t serious or life-threatening, they can cause fatigue, fever, and reduced productivity. Luckily, by introducing the right soups and herbal teas into your diet, you can boost your immune system during the winter months.
If you are unsure how to get started, the recipes below might offer all the inspiration you need. And, don’t worry – they can be easily prepared even if you don’t feel well or are up for cooking a complex meal!
3 Immune-Boosting Soups To Try This Winter
If you have been feeling unwell, the last thing you’ll want is to spend hours following a complex recipe. Luckily, thanks to the immune-boosting properties of winter vegetables, legumes, and grains, you can enjoy one-pot dinners that are both warming and healthy.
Let’s look at the best ones below.
Minestrone or Vegetable Broth
Vegetable soups such as Minestrone or vegetable broth can help you take advantage of all the immune-boosting properties of vegetables and legumes. These soups can be made with any vegetable that is already in your fridge in a matter of minutes.
For an even more immune-boosting recipe, choose ingredients such as carrots, garlic, celery, green beans, and spinach.
Lentil Soup
Lentils, just like other legumes, are a great source of plant–based proteins. But, during the winter months, they also offer unmissable immune-boosting properties.
Indeed, lentils promote healthier and more balanced gut bacteria, and they are packed with minerals, vitamins, and fiber that help protect the immune system, including zinc and magnesium.
Broccoli or Cauliflower Soup
One of the best ways to strengthen the immune system during winter is to boost your daily diet with winter vegetables and, in particular, dark leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables.
Soups made of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, or kale are rich in antioxidants, which protect cells against oxidative damage and lower inflammation, as well as immune-boosting nutrients such as vitamins E, C, Am folate, and beta-carotene.
Pro Tip: Make Sure You Have Adequate Health Insurance
Mild colds and flu can be eased by introducing into your diet the right nutrients. However, the winter months can expose you to more serious illnesses and, if you are suffering from a weakened immune system, simply eating vegetables or drinking tea won’t help.
In this case, having a comprehensive health insurance policy you can rely on can truly be invaluable. If you are looking for the right health coverage for your need, start by comparing plans on dedicated websites such as iSelect.
3 Powerful Herbal Teas To Fight a Cold
On average, adults deal with 4-6 colds each year, while younger people can have up to 8 colds annually! But, besides easing the symptoms with over-the-counter medicines, there is not much you can do to treat a cold. Luckily, some natural remedies and herbal teas can speed up your recovery and make the symptoms more manageable.
Turmeric and Ginger Tea
Turmeric and ginger are powerful roots that are rich in antioxidants, thus protecting cells from oxidative damage and free radicals. What’s more, they have anti-inflammatory properties that can strengthen the immune system, promote faster recovery, and ease the symptoms of common colds.
Lemongrass Tea
Lemongrass is known to have powerful antibacterial properties that prevent the growth of some types of bacteria and yeast. Additionally, lemongrass is an anti-inflammatory, which can reduce fever and swelling.
Green Tea
Although made with real tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) green tea is a home remedy worth considering. Green tea is rich in a powerful antioxidant called epigallocatechin (EGCC), which can fight inflammation and repair cell damage.
Building the Foundations of a Healthier Diet
When it comes down to strengthening your immune system, your nutritional regime and lifestyle choices play a vital role. While the recipes below can help, you should also look at the bigger picture and follow a diet that is healthy, nutritious, and rich in natural, plant-based products. If you are looking to boost your immune system through your diet, get started by consulting an experienced nutritionist.
