These Healthy Snacks Will Boost Your Immune System

By
Dona E
-

In addition to wearing a mask and washing your hands, there are certain foods that can boost your body’s immune system. Certain snacks can provide antioxidants to your body this season and these are the ones you should be eating.

Apple and Pumpkin Seed Butter

Apples are in season and they contain antioxidants that will help the body balance inflammation and keep your gut healthy. Pair apples with pumpkin seed butter which has zinc and magnesium, minerals that will help you stay healthy.

Bell Peppers and Hummus

Red bell peppers contain twice the amount of vitamin C as oranges. Vitamin C supports the immune system and hummus is high in zinc, leading to a tasty, nutritious snack.

Butternut Squash Fries

Instead of having chips, make butternut squash fries by cutting the squash into slices and brushing them with oil before baking them in the oven at 425 F for 40 minutes. Butternut squash has carotenoids that the body converts to vitamin A.

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Fries always sound good. Fries in quarantine taste even better! 🍟⁣ ⁣ These Butternut Squash Fries are easy to make, high on flavor, and a great way to get some extra veggies into your day.⁣ ⁣ This recipe serves 3!⁣ ⁣ Ingredients⁣ Parchment paper⁣ Nonstick cooking spray⁣ 1 small butternut squash approx. 2lbs.⁣ 1 Tbsp. olive oil⁣ 2 tsp. ground paprika⁣ Sea salt (or Himalayan salt) and ground black pepper to taste; optional⁣ ⁣ Instructions⁣ Heat oven to 400° F. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper and coat with cooking spray; set aside.⁣ ⁣ Remove peel from squash using a vegetable peeler. Cut off stem, then carefully cut in half. Scoop out seeds; discard. Cut squash into 3-inch by ½-inch-thick batons.⁣ ⁣ Place squash in large bowl. Drizzle with oil; toss gently to coat.⁣ ⁣ Season with paprika, salt, and pepper; toss gently to coat.⁣ ⁣ Spread squash in single layer on prepared baking sheet; bake for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once, until golden brown and tender.⁣ ⁣ Serve immediately, or store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to four days.

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Tea and Dark Chocolate

Next time you’re hungry, sip on some tea. Black and green tea contain L-theanine, an amino acid that helps decrease stress. Pair it with dark chocolate, which is high in antioxidants.

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A @dicktaylorchocolate from Madagascar, a gift from our trainer @daggermar, is a great, fruity chocolate. I paired it with a Nepal Singhadevi Golden Leaf. A very sweet, fruity tea. In brings out the fruity part of the chocolate and reduces the bitterness. I brewed the tea at 70 degrees Celsius. This enhances the sweetness and is still hot enough to melt the cacao butter. 8 grams of tea on 500 ml water and a two minute steep. #teaandfood #teafood #teafoodpairing #teaandfoodpairing #teasommelier #theesommelier #teesommelier #teapairing #foodpairing #teaschool #teaacademy #itcacademy #theworkshop #theecursus #teablogger #teablog #teabloggers #artsanfood #artisantea #specialtytea #specialtyteas #teachocolate #teaandchocolate #madagascarchocolate #nepaltea #nepalblacktea #nepalgoldentea #ctcf #singleorigintea #singleorigincacao

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Yogurt and Honey

Plain Greek yogurt is high in probiotics, which keeps your gut healthy and supports your immune system. To make it a bit sweeter, add a bit of honey on top which is rich in antioxidants.