It is no secret to anyone that lack of activity makes us become sedentary and quickly lose the physical condition we had. This is precisely what has been happening to many people during the Covid-19 quarantine.
Previously they led an active life, which kept them at their weight. However, being at home all the time, the tendency is to eat more. Perhaps not so much in terms of quantity but rather in frequency.
The so-called “cravings” are the order of the day and appear more and more frequently. This has caused many to gain weight. However, that doesn’t mean they are eating the right way.
In view of the current situation, there is an urgent need to raise our defenses, since we do not know when we could be the next to contract the so-called Coronavirus. If we prepare our body, we may respond more favorably to the treatment we receive. In fact, our body will be better able to fight the virus and recover faster.
But, what diet can we do to raise our defenses and lose weight at the same time? It may seem impossible. However, the truth is that this diet is real and is within the reach of most people. By doing it, you will be, so to speak, killing two birds with one stone, you will strengthen your immune system and you will recover your figure.
It is true that confinement can be very hard, but you decide how much you allow it to affect you. Remember that this is a temporary situation. When it’s over, you’ll want everything back to the way it was before, including your physical appearance. That’s why you can’t neglect yourself for a moment. Pay attention to what you need to do now to be and look healthy.
Instructions
The immune system is the body’s defense against viruses, bacteria, and infections. Since we are currently experiencing a global health emergency, it is urgent that we get down to work and strengthen it.
What we eat influences our defenses, either for better or for worse. When we eat a diet that contains high levels of sugars, fats and flours, we are weakening our immune system, which makes it easier for viruses to enter our body. In addition, these types of foods also greatly favor weight gain.
The opposite is also true, when we consume healthy foods, the body will be properly prepared to deal with the different microorganisms that cause diseases.
Some of the nutrients that your body needs, to raise its defenses, are the following:
- Vitamin A, B6, B12, C, E.
- Iron.
- Folic acid.
- Zinc.
- Fatty acids.
- Selenium, among others.
But what foods contain those nutrients? Is it necessary to buy supplements? Don’t let the parrot go away! Perhaps you imagine that you need to invest a lot of money in your new diet. However, you may be surprised to learn that this is not the case.
Some simple recipes
Beet and carrot juice. To make this drink, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 slices of raw beets.
- Half raw carrot.
- 1 orange.
- 1 tablespoon of ginger powder.
- Half water ford.
Blend all the ingredients and drink it without adding sugar or straining it.
Banana smoothie with nuts. The ingredients are:
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 slices of papaya.
- 1 tablespoon of cocoa.
- 1 natural yoghurt.
- 1 handful of walnuts.
- A tablespoon of honey.
Blend all the ingredients, add ice and enjoy the drink.
Orange juice with carrot. For this you will need:
- 4 medium sized oranges.
- 2 small carrots.
- 1 tablespoon of flaxseeds.
- 3 glasses of water.
- honey to taste
Wash the oranges and carrots well, peel and cut them. Place those in the blender along with the other ingredients blend them and that’s it. You won’t need to strain it.
What do you need
You may be surprised to learn that some of the best foods you can eat to strengthen your immune system are in your pantry right now. For example:
- Honey: For a long time, honey has been used as a natural remedy to combat coughs and soothe sore throats. Due to its wonderful properties, it acts as a bactericide, as well as being antiseptic. If you integrate it into your diet, you will be able to reduce infectious diseases. You can get it at the supermarket or at a health food store.
- Garlic: it is a natural antibiotic, which has properties that are antibacterial and antiviral. By consuming it, you will be creating a shield against infections, since it is responsible for increasing the body’s defenses, to improve its response to viruses and bacteria. So that it can be a good alternative as an antibiotic, experts recommend consuming about 9 cloves of garlic per day.
- Onion: It is considered the best natural remedy for diseases related to the respiratory tract. Especially in the case of pharyngitis, laryngitis and lung infections. For this purpose, you can consume it cooked. But, if what you want is to fight cough and decongest the bronchial tubes, you can consume it raw, since it acts as an expectorant.
- Yogurt: this is another good option to raise your defenses. Since it contains bacteria with probiotic value, that is, in favor of life, it acts on the human intestine and helps to enhance defenses. It is a secret weapon for the prevention of flu and colds.
- Red foods: the red color in fruits and vegetables is due to its high content of carotenoids and vitamin A. In addition, it is part of a group of more than 600 natural pigments that help improve the functioning of the immune system. Therefore, by consuming them you will be protecting yourself from infections and other diseases. Some of them are the following: tomato, guava, beet, strawberry, pepper, among others.
- Nuts: they are foods that help raise leukocytes, since they contain selenium and vitamin E, vital components for the proper functioning of our body’s immune system. In addition, they are rich in antioxidants. On the other hand, they are an excellent option for low winter temperatures, as they internalize energy, warm up and relax the body.
- Chicken soup: hot drinks usually help to improve cold symptoms. However, the case of chicken soup is special, since it helps raise the defenses and bring out the mucus, which makes it easier to expel it, generating relief and well-being. In addition to that, it keeps the body hydrated.
By including these foods in your diet, or replacing them with less beneficial ones, you will be able to strengthen your immune system and be prepared to fight different diseases. At the same time, you will be able to lose weight, without this affecting the response capacity of your body.
Remember, every diet has to be backed by physical exercise and a good night’s rest so that you can fully enjoy true results.
Tips
If what you want is to increase your immune system quickly, in view of the health crisis we are experiencing, you must take into account all the details to strengthen your immune system as much as possible. It is important that you accompany the diet with some physical activity.
As a summary, we present the following tips:
- Cultivate new habits that improve your health. Some of them are: avoiding stress, getting enough sleep and doing some physical activity. You can do some sport or just run a little every morning.
- Avoid harmful habits such as smoking or exposure to cigarette smoke.
- Expose yourself to the sun. Preferably before 10 in the morning and after 4 in the afternoon, without the use of sunscreen. This will help promote the production of vitamin D in the body.
- Eat a balanced diet. In this diet you should include the intake of fruits, vegetables and legumes. In order for them to have a better effect on your body, it is best that they be organic or grown at home to avoid pesticides.
- Avoid so-called “junk” food, such as pizza, hamburgers, and fried foods, among others. Since they contain substances that promote inflammation in the body.
- Don’t take medication without a doctor’s prescription. Don’t self-medicate.
- Drink about two liters of water every day. Make sure it is mineral or, failing that, filtered.
- Cleanse your energy by doing meditation and breathing exercises twice a day, when you wake up and before you go to sleep. Find a place where you feel calmer, it can be your room or your garden. Try not to have distractions and be alone so that your negative energy detaches and the positive energy flows without affecting other people.
- Try to laugh as much as you can, laughter stimulates the development of good cells to fight infections and viruses that can weaken your immune system. You can watch a movie you like or a series; play with your children or nephews, see photos of your happy moments and things like that that stimulate joy and well-being.
- Stay away from toxic people. Just as there are toxic foods that damage your body, there are also people who, with their bad attitude and negative comments, stall your progress. Do not allow anyone to lower your self-esteem with negative comments, choose your friends well.
