Bottom Line: Snowstorms, wind that cuts right through your coat, and a lack of available sunlight. Ah, the joys of winter! For many of us, winter means more time indoors, and a higher likelihood that we circulate germs that could cause us to become sick. When your ill, food is the last thing on your mind. Everything seems unappetizing when your nose is clogged, and you can’t taste a thing. But, by making healthy food choices, you can become stronger and speed up your recovery. Also, by maintaining a healthy diet, you can strengthen your immune system and perhaps even get sick less often.

Why it Matters: You’ve heard it before, but it’s true. Food is the fuel for your body. So give your digestive system a break and be sure to eat easily digestible, nutrition-dense foods. It will help your immune system stay strong. Here are a few ideas to get started.

• Bone broth contains minerals that can boost your immune system
• Probiotics found in yogurt can improve your sleep, digestion, and immunity
• Lean meats, especially those with omega-3 fatty acids, can reduce inflammation

Next Steps: A little planning can go a long way. Most of the time, we make poor choices when we are in a rush, or unprepared. And this often results in stopping by a restaurant or taking out food on the run.  Create a simple calendar highlighting your meals for the week. Healthy home-cooked meals will not only strengthen your immune system, but it can also help you save money!

Science Source:

• Chicken soup inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro. Chest. Oct 2000
• Probiotics and immune health. Current Opinion in Gastroenterology. Oct 2011
• Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. The Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Dec 2002