So efficient and hushed are our brains in their day-to-day operations that we tend to miss out on what an extraordinary and blissful achievement it is to feel healthy and emotionally well. Boosting your immunity is one of the best things you can do right now to prevent yourself from the dangers of COVID-19. Think of it like training for a battle and preparing your body to fight against viruses, bacteria, and toxins.  Adopting healthy living habits can help to improve your immunity for a lifetime.

📜 What Can I Do To Boost My Immune System?

Strengthening the immune system can be simple, easy, and effective if you modify your lifestyle to include healthy eating habits and proper hygiene.

  • Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Get adequate sleep.
  • Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly.
  • Try to minimize stress.

🥕 Eat Well To Be Well

Do you consume nutrients that are required by your body? If not then it’s time for you to follow a balanced diet. Also, your body needs an adequate amount of vitamins - A, C, D, and E, all of which are essential to fight infections.

What Should I Eat?

1. Include Fresh and unprocessed foods

  • Try to include a variety of colored fruits and vegetables into your daily meals and snacks. At least try to consume 400g of fruits and vegetables per day (exclude potatoes, sweet potatoes, and other starchy roots)
  • 180 g of grains and 160g of meat ( red meat 1-2 times/week and poultry 2-3 times/week)
Note: Do not overcook vegetables as this can lead to loss of important vitamins.

2. Reduce or minimise sugar and salt intake

Much of salt and sugar is added while cooking or preparing foods which contribute to many health conditions. Therefore,

  • Limit the intake of sugars to about 6 teaspoons per day
  • Limit the salt intake to about 1 teaspoon per day. Salt should be iodised.
Note: Avoid free sugars which are present in foods or drinks commercially available and limit the consumption of salty snacks or high sodium sauces on table.

3. Include moderate amounts of fat and oil

Include 

Avoid 

  • Consume unsaturated fats 

 ( eg: fish, nuts, olive oil and corn oils, etc) 

  • Avoid saturated fats 

             

( eg: fatty meat, butter, coconut oils, cream, cheese, ghee)

                                                                                 

  • White meat 

  • Red meat and processed meats

  • Wherever possible opt for low-fat milk & dairy products. 

  • Processed foods, fast foods, fried foods, pizzas, magarines, spreads


🚰 Hydrate! Don't "die-drate"

Why is hydration important? Fever is associated with excessive loss of fluids and increased metabolism which can lead to dehydration and increased nutritional requirements. Staying hydrated will help to flush out the toxins from the body. This does not have to be only water you can include juices made of citrus fruits and coconut water.

🥭 Immunity Boosters


Feeding your body certain foods may help keep your immune system strong. It's always better when it's natural and the best way to get your vitamins and minerals is from your food rather than popping pills into your body. Here is a list of essential foods that can help you boost your immune system.

🌿 Herbs and Spices

Spices and herbs prove to be potential antiviral preventives and immunity boosters during covid -19. Some of which are - Tulsi leaves, neem leaves, turmeric, cinnamon, clove, black pepper, basil, fenugreek/methi seeds, garlic, ginger [ref: ncbi - phytotherapy research,2021]

Benefits

Tulsi leaves - are natural immunity boosters. It has antibacterial, antiviral and anti fungal properties. This herb is recommended as a treatment for a range of conditions like anxiety, cough, asthma, diarrhoea, fever, dysentery, arthritis, indigestion, vomiting, gastric, skin diseases and malaria. [Ref: Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine,2014]

Cinnamon - a rich source of antioxidants. It has antibacterial and anti fungal and anti inflammatory, anti cancerous, anti diabetic , anti microbial properties. Also has cholesterol and lipid lowering effects. [Ref: Evidence based complementary and alternative medicine,2014]

Healthy food for a Wealthy mood! Boost your immunity with these recipes

  1. Herbal concoction 🌱

Sipping some warm brew with herbs and spices can help you strengthen your internal system. This drink can boost  your lung health.

Ingredients
5 tulsi leaves, 1 tbsp fenugreek seeds, 1/2 inch grated ginger, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 inch cinnamon stick and one squeezed lemon.

Preparation
In a pan of 2 litres of water add the above ingredients and boil it for a few minutes. Turn off the flame and let it cool. Strain and add into a glass bottle. Consume 250ml twice a day with freshly squeezed lemon. Best sipped when this is warm.


2. Carrot ginger soup 🥕

Soup is an ultimate comfort food and a perfect way for busting out stress. You can pair this with some crusty bread or side it to your roasted chicken. This soup contains immune boosting ingredients like carrot, ginger and turmeric.

Ingredients
1 small onion, 1 carrot, 1/2 inch grated ginger, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, ½ tsp black pepper, some mint or thyme leaves.

Preparation
Add some olive oil and saute onions in a pan until soft. Next add ginger and turmeric saute for 2 minutes. Add chopped carrots and season this with salt. Mix well and saute this for 2 minutes. Add a cup of water and close the lid of the pan and simmer this at low-medium flame till carrots are tender. Switch off the flame and let the mixture cool. Add this to a blender to form a smooth puree. Now add this puree into the pan, add ½ cup water, black pepper, and warm this on low flame. Garnish this with mint or thyme leaves.

3. Pumpkin Energy Bites 🎃

Try these superfood energy bites which are packed with healthy fats, protein, vitamins and minerals. A perfect snack to boost your immune system.

Ingredients
½ cup pumpkin grated or chopped, 2-3 dates, 1tbsp safflower or olive oil, 3-4 cashews, 1tbsp pumpkin seeds, ½ tbsp flax seeds, 2 tsp chia seeds, 1tsp grated ginger.

Preparation
Place dates in a small bowl with warm water, allow this to soak for a few minutes and remove the pits. Next in the food processor combine all the above dry ingredients and pulse it together till smooth. Add oil in between. Now remove this and use your hands to form small balls. Enjoy right away or refrigerate for 30minutes.


4. Sweet potato nachos 🍠

Craving nachos but want a healthier option? These nachos are loaded with nutrients and can serve as a perfect healthy snack to satisfy your cravings.

Ingredients
1 large sweet potato, 1 tbsp of olive oil, 1 tsp chilli powder, 1 tsp garlic powder

Toppings ( these are entirely your choice )
¼ cup of cheese, ½ tomato and onions diced, ¼ cup capsicum diced, ¼ cup chickpeas, ¼ cup boiled and shredded chicken/ mushrooms, ½ tsp sesame seeds, ½ tsp melon/pumpkin/flax seeds

Preparation
Preheat your oven to 180 degrees. Slice the sweet potato into ¼ inch using a knife or slicer. In a bowl toss these sweet potatoes in olive oil and spices. In  a baking tray on a baking sheet place these slices in a single layer and bake for 15 minutes. Flip over, add the toppings and bake again for 6 minutes or until golden and crisp.

📈 Food Chart To Help Choose Your Vitamins and Minerals Intake

VITAMIN C 



Daily recommendations 


  • Man - 80mg

 

  • Women - 65mg 


  • Pregnant woman - 80mg 


  • Lactating woman - 100mg 

 

  • Children  (1-3 years) : 27mg

                            (4-6 years) : 32mg

                            (7-9 years) : 43mg


  •  Boys (10-12 years) : 54mg

               Girls (10-12 years : 52mg


  •  Boys (13-15 years) : 72mg

              Girls (13-15 years) : 66mg


  • Boys (16-18 years) : 82 mg

             Girls (16-18 years) : 88 mg 



Note: 

  • It is best to take vitamin C in raw form as cooking vitamin C rich food at a high temperature for a long time can break the vitamin. 

  • Opt for stir-frying or blanching this is the best way to preserve the vitamin. 

  • Try eating fruits that are ripe they contain max amount of vitamin C




Obtained from coloured fruits and vegetables 



Richest source:                 Vitamin C/100g

  • Amla                           600 mg

  • Guava raw                   228 mg

  • Bell peppers green      242 mg

  • Turnip greens               180 mg

  • Black currant               182mg 

  • Capsicum                     127mg 

  • Drumstick leaves         108 mg 


Good sources 

  • Kiwi fruit raw              92mg

  • Mango green raw         90mg 

  • Brussels sprouts           89mg

  • Broccoli raw                89mg 

  • Lemon                         63mg 

  • Orange raw                  53mg 

  • Strawberry                   50mg 

  • Pineapple                     47mg 

  • Cauliflower                  47mg

  • Tomatoes                     39mg

  • Grapefruit                    31mg

  • Spinach                        30mg

  • Apple juice                  30mg



VITAMIN E 


                 Daily recommendations 


  • Male (14 + years) - 15mg 


  • Female (14 + years) - 15mg 


  • Pregnant - 15mg 


  • Lactation - 19mg 


  • Children (1-3 years) : 6mg

                            (4-8 years) : 7mg

                            (9-13 years) : 11mg

Obtained from nuts and oil seeds



  • Sunflower oil              41mg

  • Safflower oil               34mg

  • Pistachio nuts             33mg

  • Almonds                     25mg

  • Peanut oil                   15mg

  • Hazelnut                     15mg

  • Olive oil                     14mg

  • Sunflower seeds         12mg

  • Soybean veg oil           8mg

  • Flaxseed                       8mg

  • Coconut dry kernel      6mg

  • Peanuts                        6mg

  • Walnut                         4mg

VITAMIN A

                 

                    Daily recommendations 


  • Men - 1000 ug


  • Female - 840 ug 


  • Pregnant - 900 ug


  • Lactating - 950 ug


  • Children (1-3 years) : 390 ug

              (4-8 years): 510 ug

              (9-13years): 630 ug 


Obtained from animal sources and orange & yellow fruits and vegetables


Richest sources                          

  • Goat liver                     15655 ug

  • Calf liver                       9664 ug

  • Beef liver                      9119 ug

  • Chicken liver                3486 ug

  • Kale leaves                   9292 ug


Good sources

  • Fenugreek leaves          1540 ug 

  • Shepu                            1197 ug

  • Carrot                            900 ug

  • Sweet potato                  896 ug

  • Mint leaves                    767 ug

  • Egg yolk                        553 ug

  • Spinach                          434 ug 

VITAMIN D

 

Your body forms vitamin D naturally after exposure to sunlight. Sunlight is one of the best sources of this nutrient. 


  • Men - 600 IU/day


  • Female - 600 IU/day



      Obtained from seafoods and fortified cereals


  • Sardines, tuna, fatty fish

  • Mushrooms

  • Egg yolk 

  • Fortified foods - milk,cereals


IRON 


Daily recommendations 


  • Men - 19 mg


  • Female - 29mg 


  • Pregnant - 40mg


  • Lactating - 23mg


  • Children (1- 3 years) : 8mg

               (4 - 6 years) : 11mg

               (7- 9 years) : 15mg


  • Boys (10-12years) : 16 mg

          (13-15 years) : 22 mg

          (16-17 years) : 26 mg


  • Girls (10-12years) : 28 mg

          (13-15 years) : 30 mg

          (16-17 years) : 32 mg





Note: 

  • Consume Vitamin C rich foods for better absorption of Iron.

Obtained from organ meats, dark green leafy vegetables,fortified cereals.


  • Whole wheat flakes                    62mg

  • Sheep, spleen                              53mg

  • Rice,bran                                     35mg

  • Fenugreek seeds                         33mg

  • Beef spleen                                 31mg

  • Corn flakes kellogs                     28mg

  • Turnip greens                              28mg

  • Soya chunks                                20mg

  • Shepu                                          17mg

  • All bran cereal                            17mg

  • Calf liver                                     16mg

  • Sesame seeds, black                   13mg

  • Ajwain                                        13mg

  • Mustard seeds                             13mg

  • Wheat bran                                  10mg

  • Pumpkin seed                                8mg

  • Muskmelon Seeds                       7.6mg

  • Watermelon seeds                       7.4mg

  • Raisins dried black                     6.8mg

  • Fenugreek/methi leaves                5mg

  • Peas, dried                                     5mg 























ZINC


Daily recommendations 


  • Men - 17 mg


  • Female - 13mg 


  • Pregnant - 14.5mg


  • Lactating - 14mg



  • Children (1- 3 years) : 3mg

               (4 - 6 years) : 4.5mg

               (7- 9 years) : 5.9mg


Note: 

  • To ensure maximum absorption of zinc from the diet add different varieties of foods rich in zinc.

  • Take zinc in smaller doses to absorb it more efficiently.

  • Foods rich in zinc paired with protein can help to increase the absorption.

Obtained from meat, legumes, seeds, nuts, whole grains


  • Whole wheat flakes            51mg

  • All bran cereal                    12mg

  • Beef                                      10mg

  • Oyster mushroom,dried        8mg

  • Sesame seeds,black              8.5mg

  • Pumpkin seeds, dried            7mg

  • Egg yolk boiled                     3mg

  • Chicken heart                       6.9mg

  • lamb(leg & shoulder)           6.5mg

  • Chilgoza                               6.4mg 

  • Cashew nuts                         5.7mg

  • Ajwain                                  5.6mg

  • Chia seeds                             4mg

  • Cheese cheddar, low fat       4.4mg

  • Flax seeds                              4mg

  • Soybean, brown                     4mg

  • Cheese mozzarella, free fat   3mg

  • Bengal gram & lentil dal       3.6mg

  • Almond                                  3.5mg

        




SELENIUM


Selenium seems to have a powerful effect on the immune system being important for preventing infections.


Obtained from seafood(tuna,sardines),meat liver,poultry and cottage cheese

Ayesha Baig is a Nutritionist at Arriqaaq Health who has completed her Masters in Food and Nutrition. Her focus is on creating awareness about healthy eating and lifestyle changes along with personalised meal plans to help the community.

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