5 Traditional Foods To Boost Your Immune System And Keep You Safe This Flu Season

Staying cough-free this winter is easy. All you have to do is start having immunity-boosting ingredients like turmeric, jaggery, organic honey, and ginger. Pollution and falling temperatures put you at risk of flu, and fever. But a healthy brew here and a laddu there is all you need to stay fit these winter months.

Check out these simple recipes and stay winter ready!

1. Your traditional turmeric milk with a healthier twist

A cup of this hot drink in the morning or at night is all you need to keep diseases at bay this season. Get this turmeric mix with the goodness of spices like black pepper and ginger at just Rs 480 by clicking on this link.

To a cup of water, add about ½ teaspoon of this turmeric mix. Bring the water to boil, add a small slice of lemon, bilona ghee (or cold-pressed coconut oil) and honey into a cup. Strain the boiled water into this cup and mix well.

You can use this mix to prepare turmeric milk, smoothies or just add it in hot water and drink.

Ginger and turmeric are excellent soldiers against sore throats and cough. So if you have started showing signs of flu or cough, these spices will help you breathe and eat easy.

2. Bite-size laddu made of ginger and jaggery

Renowned nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar shares how a tiny ginger and jaggery laddu can prevent flu and keep your nose clean this winter. If you are a fan of sweet jaggery laddu, just click on this link and buy “jagger bombs” to help you this winter.

For Diwekar’s flu-fighting recipe, you will need equal parts of dry ginger, ghee and jaggery. Mix all three ingredients well and roll them into small balls. One laddu with your breakfast and one before bed are enough to ward off any common illnesses. If you work in high pollution areas, make sure you pop another one when you return home.

Ginger and jaggery will prevent inflammation and keep your sinuses clear. They will also give a leg-up to your immunity. Ghee helps with digestion so that’s another plus.

3. Garlic preserves to keep flu away

Now this one is easy. All you have to do is add a garlic pickle or garlic chutney to your daily meals and fight common illnesses effortlessly. The Little Farm Co has a variety of healthy preserves such as pickles, dips and chutneys made with garlic. Click here to choose from your favourites. With these pickles, taste and strong immunity go hand in hand!

Garlic contains compounds such as allicin that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Garlic is widely used in our recipes but its nutritious properties are best observed when it is eaten raw or as a pickle. Garlic is also known to fight infections and boost immunity, so it’s a great addition to your diet this winter.

4. Warm milk with basil seeds & saffron honey

Another tip from nutritionist Diwekar, this drink will also help you beat infections this winter season and keep you healthy. Have this beverage every night before bed and it will also help you get a deep sleep. Boil a glass of milk. Add a pinch of turmeric and a spoonful of saffron honey (click here to buy a bottle of the super healthy honey flavour). Pour the milk into a glass, add basil seeds (follow this link to buy them organic) and have it warm.

Basil seeds (or sabja) can beat infections when the weather gets cold. And since winter is the time when your skin and hair get damaged, the saffron will add protection. Together, this warm drink will keep you healthy and active through the rough months.

5. A fruit a day keeps the doctor away

Fresh fruits are another great way of keeping infections, illnesses and flu away. You can have a fresh fruit every day or just add spreads and jams to your breakfast or lunch menu to boost your immune system.

Apple, pomegranate, kiwi and citrus fruits such as oranges can keep common illnesses away and a simple dollop of their jams or marmalade is all you need this winter. Check out our range of organic spreads by clicking on this link and choose from among your favourite flavours.

Stay warm, stay healthy!

Also Read: What Is PM2.5? Do Face Masks Help with Air Pollution? Here Are the Answers

(Edited by Saiqua Sultan)

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