Keep getting sick? If you can't seem to understand why you keep getting hit with the cold and flu, even though spring has arrived, it may be time to look further than the colder-than-average spring weather that may be daunting your hometown. What about the foods you are eating? Here we are discussing the immune boosting nutrients you should eat to keep the cold and flu away – for good. 

Immune Boosting Nutrients

We got together with Andrea, our friend and Registered Holistic Nutritionist, to discuss exactly what nutrients we all can be eating to fight the cold and flu. She gives us several tips for prevention of cold and flu, allowing for an 80/20 so that you can still indulge, from time-to-time. Nutritional Tips for Prevention:

• Avoid refined sugar: We learned that refined sugars repress your immune system because of the acidity of the it, which robs other nutritional foods of their value, weakening the bodies alkaline state. Refined sugars are also empty calories, with no nutritional value.
• Add Vitamin C into your regular diet: Instead of just boosting up on Vitamin C when you start to feel like you're getting sick, include foods into your regular diet that are high in Vitamin C, such as broccoli, peppers, pomegranate, and spinach. The reason why Vitamin C works so well to prevent getting sick is because it helps build white blood cells, which give you immunity against pathogens trying to enter your system. Vitamin C needs to be taken every single day to be useful in building your immunity.
• Vitamin B6 and E: Nuts and seeds are another great addition to your daily routine, which are high in Vitamin B6 and E.
• Immune Fighting Spices: Also known as "natures antibiotic," garlic is wonderful for preventing illness. Andrea suggests adding garlic to your diet wherever you can, including salad dressings and roasted garlic. Another great spice for preventing the flu is tumeric, which also boosts brain function. Shop tumeric here.
• Fermented Foods: 70% of your immune system is housed in your gut, where good and bad bacteria live. Because you need to keep your bacterial flora in balance, fermented foods like kombucha, sauerkraut, and kefir are good for your immune system. You can also add probiotics to your diet with an awesome supplement called Amazing Grass Raw Reserve.

• Essential Fatty Acids: Chia seeds are the most abundant source of Omega 3 essential fatty acids, which restore and repair the cells, and are incredibly protective of the immune system. Hemp hearts and fish are other great source of Omega 3s. Alternatively, you can take an Omega 3 Supplement every day to make sure you are getting your essential fatty acids. Shop your Omega 3 Supplement here.

In addition to adding these immune boosting nutrients to your regular diet to prevent you from coming down with the cold and flu, Andrea also tells us all about lifestyle factors that can hinder or strengthen your immunity as well. Watch the full video below to boost your knowledge, and in turn, boost your immune system!