Physical activity, a healthy diet, and eight hours of sleep—it’s the basic things health experts say can keep your immune system strong. “We do get different nutrition from different food sources, so keeping a varied diet, making sure we eat the rainbow, so to speak, with all of our different colors raw and cooked,” said Julie Hill, an outpatient dietitian with Lee Health.
Hill recommends five cups of fruits and vegetables a day to keep your immune system functioning at its best. “We’re also definitely looking at fiber as a main part of the immune system too. Fiber actually feeds our good flora,” she said.
It’s also important to make sure you’re getting enough vitamin C each day. “Where do we get vitamin C? We get it from fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably in their raw state because vitamin C is heat-sensitive,” Hill said.
Processed foods contain sugar and saturated fat, whereas fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—which can help the body fight off viruses and keep you healthy.
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