Immune Boosting Recipes

misfitswayoflife

I was wondering if anyone has any recipes specifically targeted to increase immune system problems? I realize most healthy foods and eating clean will improve your immunity.
But I have the worst immune system in the world and I am about to get the flu for the 3rd time this winter! I can still eat but I can tell I won't be able to for long. There is a flu going around knocking people out for a week at a time and I can't afford to be sick that long!

Anyone have any recipes for some magical concoctions that will give me more of a fighting chance? Preferably soup or smoothie form. Chewing and swallowing food is really unappealing to me right now.

rduhlir

Have you tried eating a lot more Vitamin C? So oranges, orange juice, grape fruit, putting lemon in your foods for the vit C?

meg7399

I swear by EmergenC packets when I get sick. I think they help severity and duration. Have you not gotten a flu shot? Thats the only sure way to figh the flu.

KareninCanada

Garlic, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, hot green tea with honey, Cold FX, Oscillococcinum if you want to try a homeopathic option.

And if you get this stomach bug that's going around - afford it or not, STAY HOME!!! It's not the flu, it's a norovirus, and while it blows through pretty hard and fast, it's a nasty bug. You are really contagious when you're coming down with it and while you're sick. Disinfect well afterward since it's the kind of virus you don't get immunity to once you've had it, and you can re-infect yourself.

lcyama

i'm not a nutrionist or anything, but i love making homemade soups this time of year. throw in immunity boosters including mushrooms, garlic, barley, plus whatever else you like (carrots, potatoes, onions, celery, herbs) and let it simmer for as long as you can. we bought a giant canister of a dried mushroom variety from costco which gives the soup variety, but some of the shrooms can require some chewing. i know people who swear by japanese miso soup, and chicken soup as well.

misfitswayoflife

I know its a hot topic but I really dislike getting the flu shot for a lot of reasons (Mainly, what they put in it) So if I can afford to not get that I will try by diet and other ways instead

Norovirus? I hadn't heard of that. I better research a bit thank you for informing me! with my crappy immune system its probably my luck to get it!

MauiSue

Try juicing and mostly Wheat Grass!

knittnponder

Green smoothies are tasty and good for you. The nutrition varies by what you put in there but you could certainly pack it with high vitamin c fruits. Nourishing your body with healthy food will strengthen your immune system. Some good probiotics will help and stay away from sugar.

lovesbread47

Berries have tons of antioxidants! I also have a weak immune system.
I do smoothies for breakfast. Berries, banana, apple, whey vanilla protein powder,
almond milk, cinnamon, agave, vanilla & ice, Very Good!

knittnponder

I was wasting time on Pinterest when I came across this smoothie recipe and thought you might like it:

http://kristensraw.com/blog/2010/05/28/acute-bronchitis-update-raw-vegan-shake-recipe/

Bronchial Health Shake
Recipe by Kristen Suzanne of KristensRaw.com
Yield 4 cups

1 1/2 cups water
2 frozen bananas
1 cup frozen cherries
2 tablespoons hemp seeds
1 heaping tablespoon flax meal
1 scoop Sun Warrior (Natural flavor) rice protein powder
2 teaspoons goji berries
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or more)
1/4 teaspoon turmeric (or more)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (or more)

Blend everything until smooth and drink to your bronchial health!

Firefox7275

I was wondering if anyone has any recipes specifically targeted to increase immune system problems? I realize most healthy foods and eating clean will improve your immunity.
But I have the worst immune system in the world and I am about to get the flu for the 3rd time this winter! I can still eat but I can tell I won't be able to for long. There is a flu going around knocking people out for a week at a time and I can't afford to be sick that long!

Anyone have any recipes for some magical concoctions that will give me more of a fighting chance? Preferably soup or smoothie form. Chewing and swallowing food is really unappealing to me right now.

Sorry but it's too late to do anything significant with diet once you have a viral infection, you are stuck with the function of the cells of the immune system you already have. No offence but are you sure you are getting influenza so often and not a bad cold, have you been professionally diagnosed each time? Flu is fairly hardcore, my six foot plus sibling could not get up the few steps into his cabin bed when he was a teen. It kills some folks and often lasts more than two weeks, it's unusual to be recovered in just a week. If you are getting true influenza that frequently I would suggest you see a doctor and quit smoking (if you do).

Bear in mind your immune system is in two parts - the cells floating around your blood and lymphatic systems and the bacteria that populate your gut. The beneficial bacteria also support absorption of some nutrients and manufacture others so you may find taking a course of freeze dried probiotics worthwhile. Also ensure your diet is rich is prebiotics, the types of fibres and sugars they feed on.

As far as your innate immune system it is NOT just about vitamin C and zinc, you need a raft of nutrients including protein vitamin D and essential fatty acids. When I started eating a more balanced diet I stopped having winter respiratory track infections, I just had my first cold this winter in six or eight years and I work with the public. Don't just consider fruit and veg but look at your intake of oily fish plus fibre and mineral rich foods (beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, wholegrains) and even the quality of your proteins - too many on MFP are relying on egg whites and chicken breast and they are just not that nutritious.

Also consider how pro or anti inflammatory and pro or anti stress your overall lifestyle is. Sugars, high glycaemic index carbs, alcohol and smoking all suppress immune function. Get plenty of sleep/ practice sleep hygiene, practice stress management techniques and take your 10,000 steps every day - your lymphatic system does not have a heart, the muscles contracting and relaxing perform this task.