How A Plant-based Diet Can Boost Your Immunity

How A Plant-based Diet Can Boost Your Immunity

Immunity – it’s our body’s line of defence against illness. A complex system of resistance with our white blood cells at the front line, battling for our wellness.

There are many factors that influence our body’s ability to ward off disease, some of which we cannot control, such as our genetics. We do, however, have control over the foods we eat. There’s no better time than now, with a pandemic hitting our country and flu season upon us, to give our immunity a boost with one of the best weapons in our arsenal – whole food, plant based nutrition.

Whilst the following foods are known to have a positive affect on your health and wellbeing, please do NOT consider the following tips as medical advice for treating or curing COVID-19. You should always see a doctor if you’re showing symptoms of illness, and follow the up to date advice of state and federal governments if you have COVID-19 symptoms!

Image credit: https://veganliftz.com/blog/

Good ol’ fruit & veg

The panic-buyers must be doing something right. After clearing out the shelves of loo paper, supermarket shoppers have set their sights on the produce aisles. Incredibly, some fruit and veg farmers are reporting a spike in sales since the pandemic began. Fresh fruit and vegetables provide us with so many nutritional hits, particularly if they’re from the local farmers market. For example, antioxidants, like vitamin A, C and E are instrumental in the functioning of the immune system. Some fruits and vegetables that have particularly high concentrations of antioxidants include blackberries, artichokes and broccoli, but including any fruit and vegetables in your diet will have far-reaching benefits.

Give your guts a chance!

New research continually points to the link between gut health and overall wellbeing. Feeding your gut with fermented foods containing probiotics encourage your beneficial gut flora, which then in turn interact with your immune system to keep you healthy. One study even reviewed the role of probiotic foods in preventing upper respiratory infections. Fermented foods include sauerkraut, Kimchi, kombucha, coconut yoghurt and miso, which you should stir into warm water to avoid the high temperatures that kill the probiotics.

Garlic – here’s the raw deal

Eating raw garlic is not a glamorous affair. We know – it stinks! But for those days of social isolation when you’re working from home and your only face to face contact is smooching your dog, consider chowing down on a fresh, raw clove. It is known to stimulate certain white blood cell types, supercharging immunity. For a palatable raw garlic fix, whiz up some homemade hummus with a clove or two of raw garlic in a high speed blender and spread on whole grain bread.

Here’s a quick and easy recipe for you to try – you’ve got plenty of time now, right?

1 can of chickpeas, drained
1 tbsp tahini
¼ lemon, squeezed
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1-2 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped
Pinch of salt, to taste

Blend all ingredients in a food processor or high speed blender.

Add a splash of water to smooth if needed. Serve with crusty bread or your favourite crackers.

Of course the majority of the foods that are featured in each monthly Vegan box are chosen by the team based on their nutritional goodness, 100% vegan, Palm oil free and health enhancing benefits. This means that each month you get your very own delivery of good health delivered right to your doorstep!

The March box was filled with products that contribute to good health and you can still buy here while stocks last. While you’re at it, pre-order for April which is another BUMPER edit of delicious, healthful and exciting new products.

What immune-boosting foods do you eat regularly to give your body a fighting chance? Tell us in the comments!

Back to blog