Cold and Flu season is officially upon us, and although our bodies are equipped-they always need some help to fight off these nasty bugs. Here are some foods/ingredients to add to your daily routine and grocery list, to thrive during this Cold & Flu Season.

1. PUMPKIN SEEDS, CASHEWS, DARK CHOCOLATE, CHICKPEAS and SPINACH!

These are all great sources of ZINC! It is best to take zinc in the first 24 hours of the onset of a cold, but if you are already adding these foods to your diet, a supplement won’t be needed. Zinc was said to shorten colds by 42%, and produces no side effects if taken in recommended doses.

2. STRAWBERRIES, ORANGES, BROCOLLI, TOMATOES and CABBAGE!

These fruits and veggies are not only packed with fiber, they are also great sources of Vitamin C. Most of you know about the pirates and their scurvy? Yikes!  Well, besides Vitamin C being an essential Vitamin in the building of collagen, it also has been proven to help neutralize free radicals which essentially, helps against the developments of certain diseases, colds and aging. 

3. BRRRAZIL NUTS!

Selenium is mostly found in meats and seafood, but nature has provided us with an alternative option-The Brazil Nuts! Selenium helps white blood cells fight against these nasty foreign inhabitants. Eating 5 a day is enough, and they are also great for your Thyroid. 

4. VEGAN YOGURT with Active Probiotic cultures!

Any active probiotic, whether it is in yogurt or kombucha; is not only good for your gut, but it directly supports our immune system. If your gut is healthy, your attempt to fight off a cold will be more successful. With 70-80% of our immune cells found in our gut, it is obvious that our immune system response is directly correlated to the health of these cells. Check out our market for some healthy probiotic Vegan yogurts!

5. OYSTER & SHITAKE MUSHROOMS AND NUTRITIONAL YEAST!

All of these contain high amounts of B12, which is important in balancing immune responses when that nasty cold hits. As Vegans we tend to be low on Vitamin B12, but we don’t have to fall into that statistic if we continue to eat mindfully and use food as medicine. 

We know there is a lot of information out there, and it can be overwhelming. But we believe that taking the time to educate ourselves and our customers on the importance of eating a healthy & balanced diet, is the best that we can do for ourselves. Please also remember to get outside and get your Vitamin D too! We hope you have a safe and healthy winter.

Until next time,

Glowing 

Check out our market for and our website for our healthy menu items!