By now we all know that we need to lessen the toll of the pandemic on our health care system by slowing the rate of infection. The best ways to do that are through social distancing and being vigilant about handwashing. But there’s another way we can help flatten the curve, and that’s by boosting our immune systems and decreasing our chances of being sick. We can do it by getting enough rest and exercise—and by feeding our bodies the right kind of foods.
And while grocery store shelves might seem scant when it comes to some necessities, fresh fruits and vegetables are plentiful throughout the Valley. For a healthy approach to eating, the regular recommendations apply: Avoid processed foods, and opt for whole foods instead.
“It’s really important that, in terms of fruits and vegetables, you’re getting those in every single day and in an abundant amount,” says Patricia Kaytia, owner of Fruits & Roots Cold Pressed Juice Bar + Wellness Kitchen. “Fruits and vegetables are something that should be part of every single meal, and it should take up most of your plate.”
There’s a certain group of foods—the so-called superfoods—that are known to help the immune response and reduce inflammation in our bodies. These include citrus fruits, berries, broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, red bell peppers, sweet potatoes, shellfish, ginger, turmeric, beans, almonds and hazelnuts. They contain micronutrients like zinc, selenium and iron and vitamins A, C, D, E, B6 and folate (B-9), all of which have been shown to ward off some of the symptoms of the common cold and other respiratory infections.
“Anyone can learn about these superfoods, but it’s also about taking the approach to your entire lifestyle,” says Robert McCormick, brand chef for True Food Kitchen. “Are you getting enough sleep? Are you hydrated? Getting some fresh air? Food-wise, some things to look for are mushrooms, clean proteins, shellfish, ginger and turmeric. I start my day with a little lemon juice and sea salt to rehydrate and rebalance. This wakes your body up before you even reach for that first cup of coffee.”
That holistic approach to health is more important now than ever before, and McCormick says sheltering at home gives all of us an opportunity to embrace it. “I’ve been able to cook at home for my family and spend time with my kids. We eat dinner every night and play board games after,” he says. “I look at it as a positive. Living a life that’s not always on the go can only help with our immune systems.”
Whatever your eating habits were before the health crisis, every day marks a chance to make better choices, and knowing what to eat is just as important as knowing what not to eat. “This might be a time for us to say, ‘This is an opportunity for me to shift my focus and become a little bit more stringent on not how much I’m eating or how often I’m eating but what I’m eating,” Kaytia says. “You might want to stay away from refined carbs, refined sugars, the things that pull us in and make us want more, those items that force you to have cravings but are completely nutritionally stripped and offer your body no nutritional benefit at all.
“If it’s going into your body, think of it like gas. Do you want to put in unleaded? Do you want to put in the middle [grade]? Or do you want to put in the premium? Your body needs the right fuel to stay strong.”
