Natural Illness Fighting Foods

It’s so ironic. When you’ve got big plans coming up, a party, a business event, a vacation and you begin to feel a slight tenderness in your throat. You’re achy. You may begin sneezing a bit too much. The special time is approaching and you can’t be sick!

Via

As I was thinking about all the things my hubby and I have planned for this week, I heard his stuffed up voice tell me his throat was a little sore. He then burst into a sneeze. Lucky for him, I refused to let him be sick! I quickly dashed to the kitchen to grab anything that would fight whatever wanted to attack his body. During the winter months, it can become quite common for everyone to get the sniffles, coughs and sneezes. But that doesn’t have to be you.

We have a few easy and simple tips to ward off common colds before they even start. If you’ve already come down with something, these natural remedies are still great treatments in helping you recover more quickly. We don’t recommend relying on these if you have a serious illness, and we won’t claim that these foods will completely heal you, but they will help your recovery. They are cheap and natural and super successful (especially if you begin at the onset of any signs of sickness).

1. Garlic
This is a crucial one. Garlic has some amazing properties and is a great cold fighting remedy. The BEST way to get this into your system is by taking it in pill form because you can take a lot of it, and you won’t taste it and you won’t smell (promise!). I buy orderless, tasteless garlic pills that I take with other morning vitamins. Sometimes they are made with parsley or ginger, which are also other great foods in fighting sicknesses.

2. Raw Honey
Honey has amazing healing abilities. Did you know that this sweet food has anti bacterial and anti inflammatory properties!? Eat it raw and you’ll see the benefits of soothing your throat and calming your coughs. Take a spoonful of raw honey or honey comb and suck on it for a second. Then swallow if eating the raw honey or chew the honey comb for a minute, until all the honey is eaten and spit out the comb. If those forms aren’t available to you, even a spoonful of regular honey will be beneficial. It’s a sweet and natural remedy!

3. Drink Liquids
Staying hydrated is very important when fighting sicknesses. Whether it’s water, orange juice, herbal (non-caffeinated) teas or green smoothies, drinking a lot helps flush out our bodies. It’s important to note that when fighting a cold, stay away from milk and other dairy drinks or treats. Dairy creates a perfect breeding environment for bugs and congestion.

4. Vitamin C
This vitamin is a classic and popular remedy for sickness because it is extremely effective in fighting colds. Take vitamin C pills twice a day (morning and night), and you’ll feel your body improving. Also eating foods high in vitamin C is a great way to get added nutrition. Did you know that kiwi has more Vitamin C than an orange? Peppers, cantaloupe and broccoli are also high in Vitamin C.

5. Dark Chocolate
Your lucky day! Although chocolate isn’t going to totally heal you, dark chocolate is high in zinc, which helps repair body cells and builds up immune cells. It also helps detoxify our bodies! Because of these benefits, Zinc really can help protect us against bugs and diseases. Whenever I start to get sick, I like to suck on chewable zinc tablets to help my immune system. I also like to have a bit of dark sugar free chocolate. Other foods that are high in zinc are garlic and sesame seeds.

6. Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
A diet with lots of fruit and veggies ensures you are getting lots of other vitamins and minerals which promotes great health. Produce like peppers, garlic, onions, watermelon leafy greens and lemons are especially effective at fighting colds and keeping our bodies at an alkaline state. An alkaline environment in very important for fighting off any bugs or illnesses! This is also the time to load up on the spices and herbs when cooking! Use cayenne pepper, cumin and lots garlic, onion and healthy salt and pepper.

7. Kick Sugar to the Curb!
Being naturally sweet, we aren’t the biggest fans of sugar, but especially when we are sick! Sugar lowers our immune systems and can mess up our body’s natural defense mechanisms. You’ll find you will avoid sickness or recover quicker by staying away from it.

Other tips: 

• Keep your hands clean and wash them frequently.
• Sneeze or cough into your arm, NOT your hands.
• Exercise and stay active.

Smile and find things that make you happy this winter! A happy disposition has been proven to effect our immune systems for better or worse!

Of course, we suggest seeking out medical attention and other health sources when needed. We don’t claim these to be the end all, be all remedies for staying healthy, but we have experienced much success in fighting common colds and bugs with the above tips. It is possible to staying healthy and feeling great this winter!

Do you have any favorite cold or sickness fighting remedies? Please share!