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Foods That Boost Immune System for Seniors

Having a healthy immune system can help protect your body from diseases and harmful microbes. Building a healthy immune system comes down to a few factors. Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough sleep, and avoiding unhealthy habits like smoking or drinking in excess are all important. But one big factor in achieving a healthy immune system is eating a diet of nutritious foods. Eating a healthy diet can not only help you stay active, maintain your weight, and give you energy but can help your body ward off disease, too. It isn’t uncommon for senior citizens to struggle to eat a healthy diet. Luckily, a few small changes can have a big impact. Keep reading to learn a few foods, including nutritious ingredients and healthy snacks, that can help seniors boost their immune system.

Greens

Green veggies, particularly spinach and broccoli, are known for their immune-boosting powers, among other benefits. Spinach is packed with antioxidants and vitamins. As an added bonus, studies show that eating spinach may help prevent osteoporosis. This is a common condition that causes bone weakness in seniors. Similarly, broccoli is full of antioxidants and a variety of vitamins. Eating broccoli or spinach in any form can be a healthy choice. But you’ll get the most benefits from eating them raw.

Yogurt

Yogurt has both vitamin D and good bacteria. This good bacteria helps your body to fight off diseases and can even improve gut health. Greek yogurt is an even healthier choice, though any yogurt with live cultures has the ability to help boost your immune system.

Blueberries

When most people think of foods that have antioxidants, blueberries are the first thing to come to mind. Great as a topping for your morning yogurt, a healthy snack, or a side, blueberries are a superfood, and offer a wide variety of health benefits.

Citrus

Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits all contain vitamin C. Vitamin C is known for being great for helping your body fight illness and diseases. The great thing about citrus is that you can reap these benefits by eating the fruit or even drinking fruit juice. Just keep in mind that many fruit juices contain added sugar that can have negative effects on your health, especially in large doses.

Almonds

Another versatile food that offers immune-boosting benefits is almonds. Almonds contain vitamin E, an important vitamin for helping your body fight disease. Like blueberries, these are great for snacking on, or for adding to salads, yogurts, granola, and more. You also need just half a cup of almonds to get 100 percent of your daily recommended dose of vitamin E.

Green Tea

Not all immune-boosting options are foods. Green tea is also known for its antioxidant properties. A lack of appetite is a common issue among seniors looking to improve their health and nutrition. Green tea can be a great choice for boosting an individual’s immune system at times when they’re struggling to eat other healthy foods.

Boost Immune System for Seniors With These Healthy Foods

From nutritious greens to fresh blueberries, the foods on this list are some of the best to boost immune system for seniors. Eating a healthy diet, alongside other healthy habits, can have a big impact on an individual’s overall health. This is especially true for seniors. Providing healthy, balanced meals is just one of the ways that the team at Inspired Living at Lakewood Ranch help seniors live happy, healthy lives. Schedule a tour today to learn more about our programs and facility.

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