5 Vegetable in Season that Help Boost Immunity

5 Vegetables in Season that Help Boost Immunity

When you choose your fruits and vegetables, do you shop for what’s in season? If you shop at the grocery store, there’s a much wider variety, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s in season. One way to know what’s in season? Buy local! We are all about the benefits of buying local and meal planning around what is in season! Not only are there so many perks for your health, it keeps you from cooking the same meals over and over throughout the year! Today, we’re talking about five vegetables in season that help boost immunity!

Apples

Have you ever heard, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Well, it’s true! They contain a flavonol called quercetin, which is a subcategory of Flavonoids, known for their antioxidants, which have been shown to significantly reduce inflammation while boosting the immune system.

Where can it fall in your day? Have some apple slices with cinnamon sprinkled on them for breakfast, eat it as a snack with a tbsp of peanut butter, or have it with your lunch!

Bell Peppers

No matter what color, they are high in Vitamin C. We’ve heard over and over again to consume vitamin C to keep us healthy and peppers are such a great way to get our immune boosting nutrients! They add flavor to anything you cook them with. Yellow and red peppers typically have more nutrient content than green, so try them out and add extra color to your meals! 

Berries

Broad category, I know.. Right now, there are most likely blackberries and blueberries at your local market. Grab them and grab them fast! Did you know that berries are the second category, herbs being the first, packed with the highest antioxidant content? These antioxidants help support our natural killer cells, a type of white blood cell, that fight against viruses. 

Carrots

The vitamin A in carrots not only boosts immunity, but it also supports the health of the skin and linings of the mouth, the GI tract, and the lungs. You can use the greens on the carrots for your salads or add them to your smoothies to get the most out of this vegetable!

Sweet Potatoes

This starchy root vegetable is a pretty well rounded source when it comes to vitamins, minerals, and fiber. This is beneficial because sweet potatoes not only can aid in boosting your immune system, but their fiber content helps keep your digestive system healthy as well. Dr. Josh Axe says, “Your immune system is most greatly affected by your digestive system.” So, eat your sweet potatoes however you’d like and know that they are not only fueling you with energy, but they are keeping your internal systems in check! 

Now, more than ever, nutrition is so important. We hope this article is a catalyst to get creative with your grocery shopping and your meal planning and to educate yourselves on what you’re putting into your body and where it’s coming from.  Try any or all of the five vegetables in season that boost immunity.

Extra Notes:

• If you want to know more about the seasons that certain vegetables grow in, click here.
• If you want to know more benefits of eating seasonal produce, you can find our blog post on 3 Reasons to Eat Seasonally, here. 
• If you want to know more about fueling your body and boosting your immunity, check out our nutrition plan, packed full of recipes and more information about leading a healthy and happy lifestyle!

Sources: 

https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/flavonoids

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/bell-peppers

https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/berries/

In Strength and Confidence,

Harley