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What foods are bad for your immune system?
If you didn’t know it yet, your immune system is an essential part of your health because it is your body’s defense against infections, viruses, and other harmful risks. So yes, without it, you would constantly get sick from germs and other bacterias. Now that you know its importance, you might not realize just how much negative impact some certain foods and drinks have on your immune system. To start off, you should avoid eating a lot of foods and beverages that are high in sugar or refined carbohydrates as it reduces your body’s ability to ward off different types of diseases. Additionally, you should avoid drinking alcoholic beverages as much as possible as well as consuming processed foods.
Here is a list of more foods and drinks that are bad for your immune system:
- Soda
- Processed foods
- Foods and drinks high in sugar
- Refined carbohydrates
- Alcoholic beverages
- Fast food
- Foods with MSG
- Caffeine (if consumed very regularly)
- Refined oils
How can I boost my immune system when sick?
If you are currently sick or fighting an illness, then your main priority is to boost your immune system so that it can easily fight off the infections or bacteria that are making you sick. Generally when you are sick, you need to take lots of rest, drink lots of water, and intake food and drinks that are rich in zinc and Vitamin C as this vitamin is the key to warding off infections. Fruits and vegetables should always be on top of your diet especially citrus fruits which are rich in Vitamin C like lemon, grapefruits, oranges, and more.
For vegetables, it helps to know that broccoli is considered to be one of the healthiest vegetables as it is packed with vitamins and minerals.
Furthermore, a classic bowl of chicken soup always helps because it has a mild anti-inflammatory effect and is packed with nutrients especially if you add vegetables to the mix. Yogurt is also good to have as it consists of probiotics that can strengthen the body’s immune system. Adding garlic and mushrooms to your food will also be a great help.
For drinks, consider making fresh fruit juices from citrus fruits as well as drinking green tea.
Here are more foods that will be a great help to strengthen your immune system especially when you are sick:
- Fruits
- Green vegetables
- Ginger
- Mushroom
- Oyster
- Yogurt
- Tea
- Nuts
15. Immune-Boosting Orange Banana Smoothie
This Immune-Boosting Orange Banana Smoothie is so creamy and delicious. With loads of Vitamin C, it’s also nourishing and healthy.
Check it here.
14. Carrot Juice Recipe with Orange & Ginger
Here’s a delicious homemade Carrot Juice Recipe that is full of vitamin C. This recipe uses carrots, oranges, lemon, and ginger for the ultimate healthy fresh juice. You can make this in a juicer or a blender. See also Lemon ginger tea recipes.
Check it here.
13. Herbal Healing Broth with Medicinal Mushrooms
An immune boosting, anti-inflammatory mushroom broth recipe packed with healing herbs, plants, spices and flowers. Easy to make, vegan, sodium-free, and nutrient-dense!
Check it here.
12. Spicy Golden Milk Recipe (Turmeric Tea) + 20 Health Benefits
A soothing and healing spicy golden milk recipe (turmeric tea) steeped in Ayurvedic tradition with amazing health benefits! Vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free.
Check it here.
11. Homemade Cold Tonic
Homemade Cold Tonic combines different aromatic spices to keep you hydrated, boost your immune system and possibly prevent cough and cold.
Check it here.
10. One Pot Vegetarian Minestrone Soup
This Vegetarian Minestrone Soup tastes equally delicious in summer and winter. Inspired by diet of the longest-living residents of Sardinia, this soup is healthy, full of hearty vegetables and really easy to make. Great for family lunch or dinner and picky eaters approved.
Check it here.
9. Kale Apple Green Superfood Smoothie
Kale Apple Green Superfood Smoothie requires only 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to prepare. Even the kids will love this delectable smoothie.
Check it here.
8. Easy Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup [Gluten Free]
This Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup is packed with feel better ingredients like ginger, turmeric, garlic, and comforting gluten-free noodles. Kid friendly and the perfect soup to eat when you are sick (or trying to avoid getting sick). This post contains affiliate links for products I’m obsessed with.
Check it here.
7. Ginger Turmeric Lemon Tea
This easy turmeric tea recipe is made with simple and fresh ingredients. Ginger, honey and lemon combine with spices to create an anti-inflammatory hot drink that helps to boost your immune system. Perfect if you are fighting a cold or want to soothe a sore throat. Full of health benefits and great for a detox. Ready to drink in less than 5 minutes.
Check it here.
6. Easy Beet Smoothie – A Cold Busting Drink
This easy beet smoothie is packed full of vitamin C for a cold busting and tasty drink. Just 5 minutes to make and a handful of ingredients to help boost your immune system. A healthy vegan smoothie packed full of nutrients with no added sugar.
Check it here.
5. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Few things are more comforting than a big pot of Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. Made with homemade chicken broth and filled with healthy vegetables, shredded chicken, and loads of noodles, it’s easy to enjoy this Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe all winter long!
Check it here.
4. Healing Quinoa Vegetable Soup
It’s been a daunting month in my tightly-knit circle of friends. Since the beginning of November, we’ve experienced two cancer scares and an auto-immune disorder diagnosis. And behind all of the words of encouragement and support, stress levels were at an all-time high.
Check it here.
3. Orange Turmeric Booster Shot
Boost your immune system with this Orange Turmeric Booster Shot. Made with powerful ingredients orange juice, turmeric, ginger, cloves, lemon verbena leaves, cinnamon stick with a touch of honey.
Check it here.
2. Lacto-Fermented Garlic
Learn how to make lacto fermented garlic that is an easy and delicious way to add probiotics to your diet. Follow me as I take you step-by-step to make this delicious and easy recipe.
Check it here.
1. Golden Milk | Haldi Doodh
Whether you call it Golden Milk, Haldi Doodh or Turmeric Milk, this anti-inflammatory rich drink is just perfect when you are feeling under the weather or looking for a comforting and warming drink!
Check it here.
Easy Immune Boosting Recipes - Drinks and Foods to Boost your Immunity
If you are sick, your main priority is to boost your immune system. Here is a collection of great immunity boosting recipes of drinks and foods!
Ingredients
- Fruits
- Green vegetables
- Ginger
- Mushroom
- Oyster
Instructions
- Choose any immunity boosting recipes from the post that you like.
- Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
- Try the best immunity boosting recipes and share your photo under my pin on Pinterest!
I’m Anastasia and I’m a full-time blogger, online entrepreneur, and Pinterest marketing strategist. I help digital entrepreneurs and bloggers drive targeted traffic from Pinterest either through my online courses or through Pinterest consultancy.