At this point in February, we are deep into the cold and flu season. If you have yet to catch the cold going around the office, you must be doing something right! Hand sanitizer, getting your flu shot, good sleep, and maintaining a low stress level are all hugely beneficial in terms of avoiding the pesky illnesses going around at this time of year.
However, these things will only get you so far. Coming into contact with various strains of bacteria and viruses is inevitable. Our bodies do a pretty amazing job of fighting off these things on a daily basis and so it’s really important to be mindful of what you’re fueling it with.
Looking at food as fuel for your body is a great way to keep yourself in check in terms of eating more nutrient dense foods. Fueling it with things that are filled with antioxidants, vitamin C, polyphenols, and flavonoids can be the difference between an annoying sniffle and a debilitating case of the flu.
So, to help you (and our own officemates) avoid falling ill during this flu season, we have a list of foods that you should start eating more of in order to fuel that immune system so it can be a disease fighting powerhouse! And good news, many of these immunity boosters can be found in our own 6AM Health vending machines!
Greek Yogurt
Yogurt is full of probiotics which is a good bacteria that helps to keep your gut and digestive system healthy. Gut health is a huge factor in maintaining overall health, and on top of that, probiotics are mood boosters! They’ve been shown to relieve anxiety, improve mood, and even in some cases act as a natural antidepressant.
One of my favorite ways to get some good probiotics into my system is the Clio Greek Yogurt Bars. They come in a variety of flavors, though I must say that blueberry is unmatched in my eyes…
And how could I recommend these delicious and healthy treats without mentioning that they’re stocked in all 6AM Health Fresh Fridges!? Try one for yourself and let us know if they’ve become your new obsession!
Kombucha
Kombucha is not just a trendy drink for millennials, it actually is really good for your gut and digestive system! Like greek yogurt, it’s full of probiotics that help to keep your gut healthy, which in turn helps the rest of your body- especially your immune system.
Health-Ade Kombucha is always available in flavors Pink-Lady Apple and Ginger Lemon at a Fresh Fridge near you!
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds have a high fatty acid content which aids in reducing inflammation and regulating inflammatory responses in the body. They’re also an excellent source of iron which helps transport oxygen around the body, helping to aid the body’s immune system.
We’ve recently created our own Chia Pudding which is now available in many Fresh Fridge locations. It’s a great way to start your day or have it as a snack! Let us know if you’d like to see more Chia Pudding flavors in the future!
Bell Peppers
Oranges are a great source of Vitamin C (especially when it comes in the form of 6AM Health’s Cold-Pressed Orange Juice!); however, we’d be lying to you if we said they were packed with the most Vitamin C of any food. We have a strong association between Vitamin C and orange juice, but bell peppers actually have 2-3 times as much Vitamin C in them! Crazy, right?!
Vitamin C, as you probably know, is a powerful antioxidant that helps you fight off colds and flus much faster. I recommend a 6AM Health Mediterranean Salad to get in your daily dose of bell peppers and Vitamin C!
May the odds be ever in your favor during this flu season… We hope these tips can help you avoid getting sick; and if you have any other immune-booster favorites, let us know in the comments below!
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