Immune Support

As Winter ramps up, so too does our susceptibility to colds and flus. Winter is a time for slowing down, turning inward and nourishing the body through warming, grounding foods & practices. Some simple ways to support immunity through winter include:
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〰️ warm foods: support digestion and nourish the body with foods such as soups, stews, broths, slow cooked meats & herbal teas
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〰️ seasonal produce: when foods are grown out of season, they aren’t able to follow their natural growing and ripening rhythms. Seasonal produce is therefore naturally more nutrient-dense and lower in pesticides, chemicals and preservatives. Seasonal produce to incorporate in Winter include: oranges, eggplants, kale, Brussel Sprouts, pumpkin, pears and warming herbs and spices such as ginger, thyme and rosemary.
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〰️ immune boosting foods: such as garlic, ginger & turmeric due to their anti-inflammatory, anti-viral & anti-bacterial properties. Focus on vitamin C rich foods (citrus fruits, capsicum, kiwi fruit), zinc rich foods (pumpkin seeds, dark leafy greens, whole grains) & vitamin A rich foods (organ meats, sweet potato, pumpkin)
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〰️ pre & probiotic rich foods: as 70% of our immune system is located in the gut, it is important to support our gut microbiome to promote immunity. Incorporate foods such as garlic, onion, Jerusalem artichokes, fermented foods and good quality dairy (if tolerated)
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〰️ rest: rest is equally as important as movement, particularly if you’re rundown. Winter is a time for nourishment, slowing down and turning inwards, so really honouring this by ensuring lots of down time and gentle movement