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As the United States faces the worst days of the novel coronavirus outbreak since the crisis started, many health experts are continuing to warn of the best practices each of us can take in our own hands to help stop the spread.
No, we’re not talking about social distancing and hand-washing (although those are as important as ever!). We’re talking about taking care of your immune system with a proper diet.
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As new cases surge, it has become more important than ever to boost your immunity. And that includes each and every time you visit the grocery store.
What's the worst mistake you can make when visiting the market right now? No, it's not forgetting hand sanitizer.
"Purchasing foods with the most amount of sugar as it is the #1 cause for inflammation when it comes to micronutrients," Dr. Nona Djavid of SoulScale tells us. What tops the list? Candy, pies and cookies.
"Chronic inflammation has been linked to many diseases and more recent studies link chronic inflammation to suppression of your immune system," she explains.
"Since the immune system is how you fight any disease, reducing inflammation by eliminating foods high in sugar will give your body a better chance to fight any virus." That makes sense!
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"It is more important than ever to eat nutritious foods with the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and protein we need to keep our immune systems healthy," nutritionist and wellness coach Lynell Ross of Test Prep Insight, agrees.
So--what should you buy instead of junk?
"Buy wholesome foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, dairy and protein to give your body everything you need to stay healthy this fall and winter," Lynell advises.
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You may even want to consider buying supplements while there.
"Most people are deficient in certain nutrients," Dr. Djavid warns. "We don't take enough greens/veggies. And if we do, oftentimes it's not a lot of variety. So we stick to carrots alone because it's the only vegetable we like. In summary, taking a variety or supplementing for certain vitamins is key in staying healthy and building a strong immune system."
