Quick ways to boost your immune system

Here are some quick ways to boost your immune system naturally with smart snacking strategies.

It is a proven in studies that nutritional values in foods are far more beneficial than supplements to boost your immune system. For example, we know that Vitamin C is good for a healthy immune system; however, eating an orange to get the dose of vitamin C is also going to give you other nutrients that are important like magnesium, potassium, folate, vitamin B6 and antioxidants. The main reason that fruits and vegetables keep your immune system ready to battle off those dreaded viral infections is that they also contain Vitamin A and E and the flavanoid that work with Vitamin C to keep your immune system healthy.

Some smart snack strategies to ensure you eat what you prepare is to make them in advance so when the snack attack comes, you have a healthy choice to grab. Make the snacks you choose interesting. Eating to boost your immune system does not mean you can not savor the tastes you love so much. Here are some healthy options to try:

Make your own lemonade: Squeeze two fresh lemons to your bottle water and add 16 of the vitamins (including vitamin C) and nutrients to water (and zero calories).

Make your own Yogurt Crunch: Take 6 cups of vanilla yogurt, 4 firm granola bars (any flavor), cup of chopped walnuts, pint of strawberries (hulled and sliced). Mix the yogurt, granola and walnuts together in a bowl. Scoop into cups and top with strawberry slices. What you get: Potassium, magnesium, fiber, vitamins E and C.

(Try customizing the basic recipe with any of your favorite nuts and fresh fruit)

Poppins: Take ounce of whole shelled almonds, ounce unsalted dry-roasted peanuts, ounce dried cranberries, 1 tablespoon chopped pitted dates, and 1 teaspoon of chocolate chips. Combine them in a bowl and put handfuls in zipper lock bags. Full of potassium, fiber and Vitamin C.

Pops: Fresh unsweetened 100% juice poured into ice pop molds and freeze for a cold treat kids will love and not realize the boost to their system they are getting. Works well with yogurt as well (use small paper cups filling them with yogurt and cover with foil. Push a Popsicle stick through the foil and freeze).

Fruit Salad and Dip – Combine bite sized sliced strawberries, peaches, and apples and add use the yogurt crunch as a dip.

Sea Shells: Take 8 jumbo cooked pasta shells that have been rinsed in cold water. Fill each shell with a mixture of cooked spinach combined with vanilla yogurt. (Can also fill hollowed out cherry tomatoes).