5 of The Best Foods to Boost your Immunity

As we head back to school this year (however that actually looks), staying healthy is at the forefront of most of our minds.

No time like the present to really focus on your health. One of the best (and most delicious) ways to do this is by eating a nutrient rich diet that supports your immune system.

Here are five of my favorites:

1. Chicken soup/Bone broth: There’s a reason your mama gave you chicken soup when you were sick and it’s good for more than just your soul. In fact, there is a huge body of research to suggest that chicken soup can inhibit mucus production and decrease upper respiratory cold symptoms. Add in some garlic, chopped veggies and ginger and you’ve got some seriously delicious medicine. 

2. Immune boosting herbs and spices: Speaking of delicious medicine, don’t underestimate these power packed flavors hiding in your fridge and pantry. Ginger, garlic, turmeric, chilies and oregano all pack a pretty powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory punch and they make pretty much everything taste that much better. 

3. Greens: All the greens, all the time. These OG superfoods are the embodiment of food as medicine. There’s a lot to choose from and you really can’t go wrong. Kale, collards, spinach, chard, dandelion greens, arugula…whatever you choose, and however you prepare them, just eat them. Dr. Robynne Chutkin said, if you want to encourage the growth of good bacteria, heal inflammation, boost energy, and really glow from the inside out, then the single most important thing you need to do is eat greens every single day. I couldn’t agree more. 

4. Fermented foods: Foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir and kombucha are more than just the latest trend. Humans across all cultures have been making and consuming fermented foods for thousands of years. They add unique flavors to any dish and are well known for their plethora of health benefits. One of the biggest benefits of fermented foods is the abundance of probiotics. Fermented foods help to create a healthier mix of microbes in the gut leading to improved digestion, increased nutrient absorption, and since 70% of the cells that make up your immune system are housed in the gut, it makes sense that fermented foods are one of my top picks for boosting immunity. 

5. Medicinal mushrooms: Traditional Chinese Medicine and other ancient healing traditions have long touted the many benefits of medicinal mushrooms and it seems modern research is finally catching up. These power packed fungi support a healthy gut microbiome, are strong antioxidants and support healthy immune function. Some of my favorites include; reishi (or the mushroom of immortality), lion’s mane, chaga, and turkey tail mushrooms. Nowadays you can find them online or in most health foods stores. Reishi is a potent immune booster that also calms the nervous system, decreases inflammation and boosts your body’s ability to fight off illnesses. Four sigmatic makes a reishi cacoa mix that has become one of the best parts of my nighttime routine. No affiliation I just really love their products!