It’s no secret that many of the diets we see trending have an underlying common focus: weight loss.
However, with more research into the impact that food has on our mental and physical health, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the benefits of eating a nutritious diet that is centred on variety, rather than limitation, are pretty incredible.
While switching to a more balanced and holistic way of eating can aid in weight loss if that’s your goal, there are many other ways that proper nutrition supports your overall health, too. Avoiding processed, sugary foods and instead choosing whole, organic options will help you to get the right balance of protein, fibre, vitamins and other vital micro and macronutrients. One of the biggest benefits of holistic nutrition is it often results in a stronger immune system, which will leave you better equipped to fight off illness and infections.
Here are some of the foods holistic nutrition promotes, and how they work individually to support a healthier, more effective immune system.
Leafy Greens
They probably weren’t your favourite as a kid, but we’re taught to eat our greens for a reason! Spinach, kale, cabbage and broccoli all pack a nutritional and immune-boosting punch.
Spinach is particularly powerful as it contains folate, which helps your body make new cells and repair DNA. It’s also full of vitamin C as well as plenty of other antioxidants, and beta carotene. Both of these factors may increase the infection-fighting ability of our immune systems.
Citrus fruits
The ultimate summer staple, zingy citrus fruits are also packed with vitamin C, which increases the body’s production of white blood cells to help fight infection. Stock up on grapefruit, oranges, clementines and tangerines, which can offer your immune system some extra support.
If you want to load up on vitamin C, make sure to pick up some red or yellow bell peppers, which have twice as much vitamin C as a medium orange! Which brings us on to our next food…
Brightly Coloured Vegetables
At Beyond Nourished, we can’t get enough of our rainbow foods, and some of our cooking staples include carrots, bell peppers and sweet potatoes. Not only are they delicious, they again contain plenty of beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A to help bolster the immune system.
These vegetables are also really versatile for cooking. Throw them in a stir fry, shop them into a pasta sauce or have them as a tasty side to your main dish.
Nuts, Seeds and Spices
An energy-boosting snack, a tasty addition to your meal or sprinkled over a smoothie, nuts and seeds are well-known for their health benefits and are used a lot in holistic cooking.
Brazil nuts contain selenium, which supports the immune system by increasing white blood cells that destroy viruses. Sunflower seeds also contain vitamin E, an effective antioxidant that enhances the body’s production of immune cells.
Increasing your intake of certain spices can also help you to fight off illness. Thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, ginger can be effective in protecting your body’s ability to fight infection. Meanwhile, turmeric is thought to combat disease due to the anti-inflammatory agent curcumin, which is found in the spice.
Want to learn more about holistic nutrition? Follow Beyond Nourished on Instagram, or contact us to learn more about our services - including chef services, weight loss and our Holistic Chef Certification and Business Training course.