Are you ready for the change in seasons?
Here in Australia, most of us have sweated through one of the hottest summers on record. This morning though there was a noticeable nip in the air and the sky was that little bit darker for longer.
Change is in the air, as the seasons begin to change its time to focus on our immune system as autumn allergies, viruses and sniffles begin to circulate.
Superfoods are nutrient-rich foods that deliver multiple benefits to our health and well-being.
By making a few small changes to your diet to include these superfoods you are giving your immune system a helping hand to better fight off these nasties.
These top 5 Superfoods are guaranteed to boost your immunity.
Turmeric
Turmeric contains the active anti inflammatory and antioxidant compound curcuma which is highly beneficial to immune health. Perfect in herbal teas, curries and hot milk drinks as the weather cools.
Pumpkin
This sweet delicious vegetable is loaded with nutrients and is especially high in beta-carotene, a pro-vitamin that our body converts to vitamin A. Vitamin A is known to boost our immune system and support eye health. Delicious with Thai herbs as a soup or roasted with coconut oil.
Fermented foods
Fermented foods including yogurt, miso, sauerkraut and Tempeh are an excellent source probiotics and protein with anti-aging and immune-enhancing properties. Probiotics are the live bacteria that live in the gut and supplement our guts microbiome. These days it is really easy to ferment your own yoghurt with a kefir starter producing a yoghurt that is far superior to commercial yoghurt.
Quinoa
Quinoah is a delicious and versatile gluten free plant based protein rich in iron, vitamin B-6 and magnesium. quinoa is considered a complete protein because it contains all of the essential amino acids our body needs to build proteins. Cook it up like couscous to add to salads, make warming morning quinoa porridge or use as a protein rich risotto base in place of rice.
Leafy Green Vegetables
Ok stating the obvious here but the list of benefits are just to great. Dense greens such as Kale, spinach, broccoli are packed with cancer fighting antioxidants, like vitamin C and Beta-carotene and Folate which can boost short-term memory and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
How to get these goodies into your diet. Start your day with a Tulsi turmeric Ginger tea with a slice of lemon fruit in it. Follow with some delicious fermented milk or yoghurt and berries. For lunch enjoy a delicious leafy green salad including, kale, spinach and beetroot leaves with roasted pumpkin, seeds and quinoa. I highly recommend a balsamic dressing with this salad.
For dinner make yourself a warming soup or stew and finish your day with a cheeky hot turmeric, cinnamon spice and honey drink with your milk of choice.
After just a couple of days of including these superfoods in your body and your digestive system will thank you and as an added bonus will help ward off those nasty illnesses circulating as the weather cools.
Do you have a favourite superfood recipe? We would love to hear about it in the comments below.
