• Top 5 Foods to Boost Your Immunity

    vitamin c sources

    Having good nutrition is one of the most important steps for staying healthy. However, the consequence of proper nutrition goes much deeper than that simple statement. What you eat can change how you look, how you feel, and, most significantly, how you are able to fight off sicknesses. Want to boost your immunity naturally and easily? Increase your intake of Vitamin C. You probably know oranges are a great source for Vitamin C, but there are so many other options. Here are some of the top foods to make for an immunity boost:

    Bell Peppers

    Red, green, and yellow bell peppers pack a powerful punch of Vitamin C. If you sat down and ate an entire yellow bell pepper, which have the highest vitamin count of the colors, you'd be taking in about double the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of the vitamin. Plus, that's about three times the amount of Vitamin C in an orange. Granted you will probably never sit down to eat a pepper alone, but they can be easily incorporated into meals and are frequently called for in recipes. They are an easy way to consume more peppers.

    Strawberries

    The average garden-variety strawberry is a wonderful Vitamin C source. One cup of the sweet fruit, and you're at 98% of your RDA. Unlike bell peppers, strawberries are a food you can sit around and eat on their own. Try using them as a fruit snack throughout the day or throwing them into oatmeal or yogurt in the morning.

    Broccoli

    This green veggie is an incredible booster for your health - not just with its Vitamin C. However, just ¾ cup of the florets, and you will have reached the RDA for the day. Broccoli is excellent cooked a variety of ways, which makes it great for working into meals without getting boring. Try it steamed, put into casseroles, or tossed with a vinaigrette.

    Chili Peppers

    Sweet bell peppers are not the only peppers that can boost your immune system. Given their small size, it is hard to give a good comparison of the Vitamin C content of chili peppers. In 100 grams of chili peppers, however, you get 4 times the daily RDA! 100 grams is about the size of one medium sized tomato, so it is unlikely you will reach that high level of Vitamin C with a food that is only required in recipes in small amounts. Even so, just one fourth of those 100 grams would still be a huge help for your immune system!

    Leafy Greens

    Collard greens, mustard greens, and kale are all common and popular varieties of leafy greens. One cup, cooked, gives you a little more than half of your RDA. While this is lower than the other foods on this list, it should be noted than greens have an incredibly high amount of both Vitamin A and K making it an all-around nutritious meal. Kale is one of the most popular vegetables right now, so it's easy to find a recipe that will fit your tastes.