4 Foods To Improve Your Immunity and Mental Health
It can sometimes feel like there are a paralyzing amount of things to worry about or your health- Do I boost immunity? Do I go low-calorie? Should I avoid carbs? What about my mental health?
Such a wide variety of foods is suggested that it can be hard to figure out where to start. The foods below are foods you can easily integrate into your daily meal plans to kill two birds with one stone: Boost your immunity while safeguarding your mental health.
- Spinach and Other Leafy Greens
Insomnia and depression often go hand in hand. Luckily, leafy greens are full of folic acid. Folic acid has been shown to help with both depression and insomnia.
Spinach particularly has high levels of Vitamin C, which is good for helping your immune system fight off illness. Throwing a handful of spinach into your salad or stir fry is a great way to take advantage of its one-two punch of vitamins.
- Green Tea
Green tea contains an antioxidant that enhances your immune system. It also has a second antioxidant that fights inflammation, one of the potential causes of depression.
- Nuts and Seeds
Sunflower seeds contain Vitamin E, an essential vitamin for regulating and maintaining immune system function. It also contains selenium, which is currently under research for its benefits for combating viral infections.
Almonds are also rich in Vitamin E, as well as healthy fats that give your body a better hold to absorb that Vitamin E. They’re so packed with this vitamin that just a half-cup serving is enough to give you your whole day's serving of Vitamin E. While they’re giving your immune system a boost, they also boost your brain's ability to create dopamine and other neurotransmitters that improve mood.
- Poultry
Vitamin B-6 is crucial to the creation of healthy red blood cells. Light turkey and chicken contain so much of this that just 3 ounces of these meats contain almost a third of your daily quota of B-6. Stock or broth made by boiling chicken bones also contains compounds that help heal your gut and boost your immune system.
If you’re looking for a way to boost your mood and improve your memory, our suggestion is serotonin. A great way to boost serotonin is with chicken or turkey. This is one of the reasons Thanksgiving turkey always fills us with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
Eat For Health and Happiness
These are just a few of the foods that can help you be better prepared for illness, as well as boost your mental health. Talk to your doctor for suggestions tailored to you directly.
By integrating these foods into your daily diet, you can help correct immune deficiency and mental health symptoms. However, they are not a replacement for medical care. If you are having serious symptoms, talk to your primary care physician or book an appointment.