• Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • Fitness
  • Nutrition
  • |
  • About
  • Work With Me
    • Brand partnerships
    • Nutrition Coaching
best immunity boosting foods
February 19, 2020

10 Foods that Can Boost Your Immune System

46 comments
share this post:
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Did you know that some foods can help boost your immune system naturally and work to keep/get you healthy? While hand washing is always #1 with avoiding illness, and no one can be immune to a virus, eating nutritious foods certainly can’t hurt, right? 

In this post, I’ll show you how to incorporate the best immunity boosting foods into your diet – and why these foods in particular help protect your health.

Read on for some of nature’s best illness fighters – all of which can be found at your local grocery store. I originally published this post on the best immunity boosting foods for cold and flu season back in 2013, but it has been updated with additional recipes/ideas!

Foods that Boost Your Immune System

Boost Your Immune System With Food

Boost your immune system naturally by incorporating these powerful foods into your diet, and you (and your family!) will be better prepared for cold & flu season.

These foods are also important for eating a balanced diet year-round. So bookmark this post, because it’s chock full of healthy recipe ideas!

Here are 10 power foods that boost your immune system:

1. Mushrooms

Mushrooms contain selenium, deficiency of which may cause increased risk of developing the flu. (Tip: another great source of selenium is brazil nuts!). The riboflavin and niacin found in mushrooms are also associated with a healthy immune system.

Try adding a handful to pasta sauce or eggs and omelettes, or throwing them on top of a homemade pizza. Mushrooms are also delicious simply sautéed, or roasted with a little olive oil and salt and pepper.

You can also try my Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms (these make a tasty and easy vegetarian dinner), Walnut and Mushroom Vegetarian Enchiladas (a surprisingly “meaty” and delicious vegetarian meal!), or “Cheesy” Vegan Mushroom Quinoa.

immune system boosting vegetarian enchiladas

2. Cabbage

This inexpensive winter vegetable is a source of glutamine, which has been noted to strengthen the immune system.

I first fell in love with cabbage when I lived in Europe. Germans know how to do red cabbage right. Try it in your winter soups and stews, or throw shredded raw cabbage onto your sandwiches or salads to add a fun crunch.

My Mason Jar Kale Salad has tons of flavorful fruits and veggies to keep things interesting, including a nice crunch and immunity boost from red cabbage!

healthy mason jar kale salad to boost your immune system

3. Almonds

Almonds are an excellent source of vitamin E, another antioxidant responsible for boosting the immune system. Grab a handful (1/4 cup) to get 50% of your daily recommended amount of vitamin E.

They’re one of my favorite afternoon snacks when paired with some fruit! To mix it up, try my Cinnamon Raisin Almond Balls (3 ingredients and an awesome snack), Salty Maple Nut Energy Bites, or my Almond Encrusted Tilapia, an old favorite.

tilapia fish recipe with almonds

4. Yogurt

Yogurt often contains live and active cultures called probiotics. These can help stimulate the immune system and keep our gut and intestinal tract healthy and free of disease-causing bacteria.

Any yogurt with a Live and Active Cultures seal contains some beneficial bugs. You can see them in the ingredients list as well.

Dairy products, like yogurt, also tend to be good sources of vitamin D, deficiency of which has been linked to increased risk of contracting a cold or the flu.

Try my Hangover Busting Smoothie (a fruity, gingery treat that’s super hydrating – another factor that’s great for beating colds!), Vanilla Mint Smoothie, or Greek Lamb Burgers with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce for a delicious way to incorporate yogurt into savory meals.

coronavirus precautions: healthy smoothie recipe to boost your immune system

5. Spinach

Considering how rich in folate, fiber, and antioxidants spinach is, I bet Popeye never got sick! 😉 My favorite way to eat spinach is raw in a salad, on sandwiches in place of lettuce, and sautéed in a little garlic and olive oil.

I also love it in smoothies – you can’t taste it, I promise! If you’re looking for a sneakily healthy party appetizer, try my Lemon Avocado Hummus that has spinach blended into it! Or, try my Banana & Spinach Smoothie. You can creep out your roommates by drinking something super green. 😉

healthy banana spinach smoothie - best immunity boosting foods recipe

6. Tea

Green and black tea contain polyphenols and flavonoids, which are antioxidants that help fight disease. In addition, an amino acid that’s responsible for an immune boost, L-theanine, is abundant in both black and green tea. Decaf versions have it, too.

Drink several (unsweetened) cups per day! To get more antioxidants from your tea bags, bob them up and down while they brew.

Additionally, you can cook with tea to get those antioxidants. Try my Mediterranean Green Tea Quinoa Salad, which uses green tea in the dressing and for cooking the quinoa!

salad with green tea recipe to boost your immunity during cold and flu season

7. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes and other orange foods like carrots, squash, and pumpkin, contain the antioxidant beta-carotene. This is a form of vitamin A that is essential for keeping your skin strong and able to fight off bacteria and viruses.

A half-cup serving of sweet potatoes will deliver 40 percent of the DV of vitamin A as beta-carotene. Try cutting the sweet potatoes into strips and baking them coated in a little olive oil, salt, and pepper to make a healthy homemade version of french fries!

Or try two other two sweet potato winter-appropriate favorites: Sweet Potato & Black Bean Veggie Enchiladas and Sweet Potato Lentil Chili.

sweet potato chili recipe to boost your immune system

8. Garlic

In addition to warding off vampires, garlic also contains the active ingredient allicin, which fights infection and bacteria with its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Try adding minced garlic into your next dinner. It’s great sautéed with veggies and a little olive oil, like in my Lemon Garlic String Beans, or blended into a creamy sauce for my Creamy Vegan Garlic and Herb Pasta.

healthy lemon garlic string beans

9. Barley and Oats

These grains contain beta-glucan, a type of fiber with antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities that has been found to stimulate the immune system. It boosts immunity, speeds wound healing, and may help antibiotics work better.

With the cooler weather, it’s the perfect time to enjoy a hot bowl of oats for breakfast (try my Perfect Microwave Banana Oatmeal if you haven’t yet).

As for barley, here are a few recipe favorites: Spiced Raisin & Pine Nut Barley Salad, Curried Barley Chickpea Salad, and Turkey Veggie & Barley Chili.

microwave banana oatmeal for a healthy, immunity-boosting breakfast idea

10. Fish

Selenium, which is especially plentiful in shellfish such as oysters, lobsters, crabs, and clams, helps white blood cells produce cytokines-proteins that help clear flu viruses out of the body.

In addition, salmon, mackerel, and herring are rich in omega-3 fats, which reduce inflammation, increasing airflow and protecting lungs from colds and respiratory infections.

I recommend my Pesto Baked Salmon with Veggies, Lemon and Herb Fish, or Baked Salmon with Lemon Mustard Dill Sauce. They’re all quick, foolproof, and crowd-pleasing dinner ideas that make fish much less intimidating to cook!

Takeaways: How to Boost Your Immune System with Food

These are some of the best foods that boost your immune system (and delicious ways to eat them!).

Making smoothies with frozen fruit, cooking soups with canned goods, and stocking up on other non-perishables are all especially useful if you want to avoid leaving the house too often (or if you’re fighting off illness).

I hope this post has given you some ideas on what foods to incorporate into your diet to help you stay healthy and avoid illness.

Stay healthy out there, my friends!

What are your best tips to stay healthy during cold & flu season?

- anne
share this post:
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

join the list

Sign up for my e-newsletter and I'll send you a meal plan packed with a week's worth of healthy meals, snacks and a shopping list. Happy eating!

you might also like:

anne mauney

How to Become a Dietitian (+ How I Did It!)

Why You Should Drink More Water

how to make water more tasty

Are Flavored Water Enhancers Healthy?

how to fuel for a marathon

How to Fuel for a Marathon or Half Marathon

leave a comment

Cancel reply

46 comments
  • Elizabeth @ Positive Change
    December 19, 2013 · 9:22AM:
    Great food ideas! I love eating all of these in the winter to stay healthy! I also like to add oranges for the vitamin C!
    Reply
  • Jackie
    December 19, 2013 · 9:49AM:
    Great tips, thanks for sharing!
    Reply
  • Rosey Rebecca
    December 19, 2013 · 9:50AM:
    Love everything on this list!! Thanks for the informative post!
    Reply
  • Ashley @ Power, Live, and Self-Discipline
    December 19, 2013 · 10:23AM:
    I use cinnamon, clove, oregano, elderberry, astragalus as well as many if the things you listed.
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 19, 2013 · 10:29AM:
      Yes, great addition! Herbs/spices are awesome for immunity boosting. I've never heard of astragalus before!
      Reply
      • Sonja May 31, 2018 · 12:59PM:
        The Chinese use Astragalus, they brew a tea with it and drink it for optimal health. Ask around in your chinese take-away places.
        Reply
  • Katie @ Talk Less, Say More
    December 19, 2013 · 10:27AM:
    I've been fighting a cold myself this past week and there have definitely been a lot of these items in my diet this week. I've been loving my smoothies packed with spinach and other fruits/veggies to pack in as many nutrients as possible!
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 19, 2013 · 10:58AM:
      I hope you feel better soon!
      Reply
  • Jo Lynn December 19, 2013 · 11:33AM:
    I love eating all the foods on your list--didn't realize they were so good for my immune system. With respect to cabbage, have you ever eaten it roasted? IMO, it's the best way to serve it as a side dish. Easy to make and so flavorful! http://www.yummly.com/recipe/external/Roasted-Cabbage-Wedges-Martha-Stewart
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 19, 2013 · 11:35AM:
      No, I haven't! I usually have it raw in salads or cooked European style (e.g. sausage + red cabbage). Thanks for sharing!
      Reply
  • Sara @ Zero to Sixy
    December 19, 2013 · 12:23PM:
    Love this post, I am always wondering what to eat to make my immune system healthier... I am going to have to try that banana spinach smooth for sure... I wonder how it would taste with Almond Milk instead? I feel like it sounds disgusting..... but then maybe it would be good!
    Reply
    • Amy December 19, 2013 · 12:55PM:
      Almond milk in smoothies is great!
      Reply
    • Anne
      December 19, 2013 · 1:25PM:
      I'm sure it would be great! I love almond milk smoothies. It'll just be lower in protein, as an FYI, than if you used normal milk. :)
      Reply
  • Elisabeth December 19, 2013 · 12:53PM:
    My favorites on that list are definitely sweet potatoes & cabbage - I can eat them both pretty much any way they're fixed! Braised red cabbage is a big favorite of mine.
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 19, 2013 · 1:26PM:
      That's a big fave of mine, too, ever since I lived in Europe! :)
      Reply
  • Amy December 19, 2013 · 12:54PM:
    Selenium sounds important with the 2 mentions! Unfortunately selenium content of foods is highly variable based on the soil content where they are grown, but a really great source of selenium is brazil nuts :)
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 19, 2013 · 1:24PM:
      Yes, good tip!
      Reply
  • Elizabeth December 19, 2013 · 4:23PM:
    These are all great tips - thank you! So many great recipe suggestions for the next couple months.
    Reply
  • Kelly @ Kelly Runs for Food
    December 19, 2013 · 5:27PM:
    As someone who gets bronchitis pretty much EVERY December, I needed this list! Thanks for all the suggestions!
    Reply
  • Roadrunner December 19, 2013 · 5:33PM:
    All good, but add Vitamin C?
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 19, 2013 · 6:03PM:
      Yes, Vitamin C is always a good one! Sweet potatoes have Vitamin C. :)
      Reply
  • GiGi Eats Celebrities
    December 19, 2013 · 6:09PM:
    YES! I love this list because it only emphasizes that I am EATING THE RIGHT THINGS!!! One weird thing about me though is that I cannot eat mushrooms, yep, add that to the laundry list of foods I cannot eat, lol. But it's so weird. I love mushrooms and if I eat them, it's like clock work, at midnight, I will throw up! LOL! Whoops - TMI?? ;)
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 19, 2013 · 7:02PM:
      Lol! How random!
      Reply
  • Linz @ Itz Linz
    December 20, 2013 · 7:46AM:
    didn't know about a lot of these! i eat them naturally so maybe that's why i so rarely get sick!? haha
    Reply
  • Amanda @runtothefinish
    December 23, 2013 · 7:19AM:
    I hardly ever get colds, but I got one this year! So I have been eating all of those things, minus yogurt, and seems to be keeping it from getting worse!
    Reply
  • Sara December 20, 2016 · 4:12PM:
    Hi Anne! My question isn't related to your post, but I was curious what your favorite hiking/biking/running trails are. I live in Nova, too, and while I've previously done most of my workouts in the gym, I've started to exercise more outside and am loving it. Now that I've walked the whole of Old Town roughly a million times, I'm looking to branch out a bit and would love some recommendations. Thanks!
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 21, 2016 · 9:45AM:
      Hi Sara! Love hearing that you are getting outside more! If you're in Old Town, have you checked out the Mt. Vernon Trail? That's one of my favorites - it goes all along the water for miles and miles. For running or biking I also like the W&OD trail and the Custis Trail. The Potomac Heritage Trail is great for hiking! I also run/bike in the city a ton - Hains Point is a great spot for both, or the National Mall. Have fun out there!
      Reply
  • Jennifer December 21, 2016 · 11:43AM:
    I woke up with a sore, scratchy throat, so I needed this. So far I got my oats and green tea in. Almonds too, if almond milk counts. DOES it count? Maybe an almond milk vs whole almonds post is in order??
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 21, 2016 · 12:16PM:
      Almond milk definitely counts -- although really all nuts/seeds are worth including as they will each bring something different to the table nutritionally. :) I hope you feel better soon!
      Reply
  • Sue December 21, 2016 · 1:39PM:
    Eating healthy is a good idea, but you can't exactly 'boost' your immune system. http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 21, 2016 · 3:05PM:
      By boost, I just mean help support your immune system and keep it strong and healthy!
      Reply
  • Alana
    December 21, 2016 · 8:51PM:
    These are really great suggestions, Anne! I know it's important to eat healthy year-round but I find myself making an even bigger effort this time of year to avoid getting sick. I'v been including something fermented in my diet everyday as well as many veggies as I can!
    Reply
    • Anne
      December 22, 2016 · 7:54AM:
      Great idea on the fermented foods, too! My fave! :)
      Reply
  • Ed
    January 2, 2017 · 5:26AM:
    Thanks for a great list. I would also add foods that contain zinc as it's a critical mineral in immune system support. You've already mentioned spinach but zinc can also be found in oysters, pumpkin seeds as well as kidney beans. Combined with sleeping well and exercising regularly I think one would have a pretty strong immune system.
    Reply
  • Sarah February 19, 2020 · 12:39PM:
    I love cabbage! I feel like it's generally underappreciated in the U.S. but so good if you find the right recipe.
    Reply
    • Anne
      February 19, 2020 · 12:58PM:
      I totally agree!
      Reply
  • Ana February 19, 2020 · 12:51PM:
    Is sauerkraut just as good for you as plain cabbage? Or maybe even better? I like that in the winter sometimes.
    Reply
    • Anne
      February 19, 2020 · 12:57PM:
      It's actually better because of the probiotics (since it's fermented), but only if it's raw/not heated in processing or when you serve it - that kills the probiotics! Here are two blog posts that may be of interest: Why You Should Start Eating Sauerkraut + What are Probiotics and Prebiotics?
      Reply
  • Aurora G. Feldman February 19, 2020 · 2:55PM:
    This post came at a good time as my kids keep playing the "tag you're it" cold & flu game at our house! Thanks for the info! Hope you, Matt, and little Riese are doing well!! :)
    Reply
    • Anne
      February 20, 2020 · 10:43AM:
      Hey girl!! My pleasure - I hope these foods help get you guys back in fighting shape ASAP! :)
      Reply
  • Roadrunner February 20, 2020 · 7:37AM:
    These are really terrific, Anne, thanks. Will add this to my cold season diet.
    Reply
  • The Many Thoughts of a Reader
    February 21, 2020 · 12:16PM:
    I've been trying to incorporate some of these daily to help us this season, especially with a newborn! I have a slight cold going right now so I'm taking elderberry, vitamin c, regular multivitamin, and eating lots of red peppers (for vit c). I think tonight for a 'treat' I am going to make smoothies to use up our spinach. I've been trying to get my 8 year old as many extra doses of vit c as possible since her school is such a petri dish! OJ for breakfast, peppers at lunch and then broccoli or sweet potatoes at dinner and then elderberry gummies.
    Reply
    • Anne
      February 21, 2020 · 1:30PM:
      That's smart! I hope it helps!
      Reply
  • Em March 14, 2020 · 11:22AM:
    NO ONE IS IMMUNE TO THE CORONAVIRUS. To suggest anything can help our immunity to it is irresponsible. Come on, anne.
    Reply
    • Anne
      March 15, 2020 · 11:50AM:
      Hi Em - I updated the start of the post to be more clear! Obviously no one is immune to coronavirus, but eating foods that can help to naturally boost our immune system in general certainly won't hurt, and could help you to recover more quickly if you do get sick. Just trying to be helpful however I can. I have a pantry meals post coming later this week, too. Stay healthy out there. <3
      Reply
  • Bionaze April 13, 2020 · 5:51AM:
    I'm happy that two of my favorites which are yogurt and spinach are part of immunity-boosting foods for cold flue seasons. Thanks for sharing this important information.
    Reply
- next post
previous post -

about Anne

anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
Learn more

fannetastic reads

Top Posts
01

My Top 9 Most Popular Recipes + Posts

02

Why I Don’t Recommend Whole30

03

What Causes Sugar Cravings (+ How to Stop Them!)

04

How I Make Money As a Blogger

05

Blog Recipes We Make Again and Again

06

What to Eat Before and After a Long Run

07

What to Eat During Long Runs

08

7 Common Nutrition Myths

09

How to Love Veggies

connect with Anne

Email me
anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

When I’m not writing or cooking for fannetastic food, you can find me running, coaching nutrition clients, or on an adventure with my family. Feel free to reach out - I'd love to hear from you!

follow anne:

join the list

Sign up for my e-newsletter and I'll send you a meal plan packed with a week's worth of healthy meals, snacks and a shopping list. Happy eating!

back to top
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recent Posts
  • Privacy Policy
  • FAQ

© copyright fannetastic food - site by kc - exclusive member of mediavine