10 Best Foods for Spring Health and Immunity

The weather is changing, and for the better! Flowers are blooming, the days are warmer and longer…how can you not be excited about spending your lunches outside in the park?
But along with the changing temperatures comes the risk of catching a bug or two…and I don’t mean in your herb garden!
Some of the best things you can do to prevent getting sick is getting enough sleep, regular exercise, washing your hands, and eating right. And there are some “super” foods to keep in mind next time you’re at the grocery store that will help to make your immune system a stronger one! Here’s our top list of must-have, immunity boosting Best Foods for Spring Health:
Citrus: 
There are plenty of citrus options during the spring and summer including grapefruit, oranges, clementine, pineapple, and tangerines. These fruits are high in vitamin C, which can help to reduce the longevity of your cold or flu, if you do happen to get one. Vitamin C helps produce collagen, a protein that helps strengthen the body’s blood vessels, ligaments, and muscles – and supporting its immune system.
Spinach: 
This dark, leafy green will help strengthen your immune system by adding more zinc into your system. Zinc aids in cell division, cell growth, wound healing, and the breakdown of carbohydrates.
Nuts: Grabbing a handful of nuts packs a big punch against fighting off illnesses. Different kinds of nuts contain zinc, healthy fats, and selenium a mineral that helps to boost your immune system. Brazil nuts have the highest amounts of selenium, which you can also find in various seafood, as well.
Pinot Noir: And to go with your nut appetizer, grab yourself a glass of red wine! Pinot noir is shown to have resveratrol a compound that fights against viruses that try to multiple and spread in your system. Not a drinker? Whole peanuts also have the compound found when you crack open its outer shell and find the reddish brown film inside.

Mushrooms: This fungus has been found in herbal medicine chests for centuries. And why? Because it helps to increase the production of cells that help fight off infections and contain polysaccharides, compounds that support the immune system.
Garlic: This clove is not only a pungent remedy to fighting off vampires (which aren’t real…or are they?), but it also produces antioxidants when it decomposes. If you are hit with a bug, taking a garlic supplement has shown to shorten the sickness.

Yogurt: Eating greek yogurt or any yogurt with probiotics gives you a one-up during cold and flu season. Probiotics replenish good strains of bacteria that promote digestive help, keeping your stomach nice and clean.
Tea: Despite there being an incredible amount of tea flavors (and tea shops), all teas have flu-fighting properties known as catechins in each cup. And while we may wait to drink the hot stuff when we’re actually sick, sipping on a cup before bed will actually help boost your metabolism and protect you against certain cancers and possibly heart disease.

Blueberries: While we all don’t have access to a wild blueberry patch, blueberries are known as the super berry for its incredible antioxidant properties for its small size. By snacking on a handful of these, you’ll be adding anthocyanins into your system – one of the most potent in combating free radicals in your system.
Orange fruits and vegetables: Carrots and sweet potatoes are some of the most common foods found in your local super or farmers market, and for reasonable prices, too. These orange treats are rich in beta-carotene, which is compounded into vitamin A once consumed. Vitamin A helps to keep the mucus membrane in our nose and throat healthy.
For more great spring nutrition and recipes, browse our blog & visit us on Pinterest! To learn more about our Functional Nutrition services, click here.
About Functional Nutrition: Functional Nutrition is an approach to healthcare that seeks to identify and address the root cause of health concerns, illness and disease. Practitioners of functional nutrition conduct thorough histories and utilize specialized tests in order to understand the unique interactions between a patient’s genetics, environment, and lifestyle factors that influence health. Treatment is individualized and cooperative (both clinician and patient play an active role) and is designed to not just relieve symptoms, but promote and optimize wellness. The goal of our Functional Nutrition program is to assess the root cause of your problems, and then to help affect a sustainable lifestyle change so you can lead a happier healthier life.