I overheard a woman say recently that during a particularly stressful and worrisome time she planned to drown her fears in wine and Ben & Jerry’s. I get it. Dulling your anxiety with alcohol and comfort food is understandable. A better move, though, is to support your immune system to weather what’s to come—both emotionally and physically. Some of the best strategies include getting plenty of sleep, managing stress (easier said than done), drinking lots of water, and heavying up on healthy foods. Let’s be clear, diet alone can’t keep you from worrying or getting sick. That said, being poorly nourished diminishes your body’s ability to handle stress or ward off illness, so it’s wise to aim for a wide variety of wholesome foods to provide a broad spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. I polled some of my registered dietitian colleagues to help identify foods that can help support mind and body health. Here are the highlights:
Fermented and fiber-rich foods to feed the gutA rainbow of fruits and vegetables to deliver vitamins C, A, and other key nutrientsSources of the mineral zincPlant and animal sources of proteinFoods that deliver vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acidsGarlic, onions, and mushrooms
It’s with that list in mind that I handpicked 10 tasty recipes that are just what the doctor (or dietitian) ordered:
