With the current outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), people are buying out stores for supplies and ingredients because they need to bunk down at home. So right now you might be someone with options in your fridge and a craving for sugar.
 
Or maybe you simply just want a healthy snack.
 
If you do, you can arm yourself by playing around with these foods that you can add in to improve your immune system.
 

1. Citrus

Lemon cheesecakes, key lime pies or orange custard slices. There are so many wonderful citrus flavours that balance so well with the sweetness of desserts.
 
Lovers of that sour tangy flavour that comes in so many fruits are well aware of the Vitamin C content that they have.
 
Citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin C which helps build your immune system. It is suspected of contributing to the production of white blood cells. These cells are located throughout your body with the purpose of identifying and destroying foreign elements in your body.
 
It should be noted that although Vitamin C has been noted to reduce sick days for the common cold, experts warn that the effect will be minimal if any.
 
So there should be no loss to indulge in a more enjoyable method of consuming your citrus-y needs!
 

2. Almonds

Almonds contain Vitamin E works well in conjunction with vitamin C. Whereas the latter creates the offensive protection for your body, the former creates a defensive one. By promoting the absorption of healthy minerals into your body, you can ensure a strong immune system rather than just a resistive immune system.
 
Almonds also contain several other essentials for a healthy body such as;

  • Manganese,
  • Magnesium and
  • Fiber

There is actually a lack of sufficient Vitamin E in the average adult’s diet and health people will rarely show symptoms of Vitamin E deficiency. So be generous in using this as a topping for your favourite dessert. Even a handful of them can be enough to boost your immune system.
 

3. Green tea

 
Matcha lovers may also spoil themselves in knowing that their guilty pleasures don’t have to be so guilty anymore either!
 
Green tea contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a powerful antioxidant. As this type of tea is steamed which preserves this antioxidant for when you consume it.
 
So gather your green tea powder and make something to truly satisfy your cravings. If you want someone to guide you through making a delicious recipe like a Matcha Lava Cake, come and join one of the classes we provide!
 
https://www.myweekendplan.com.my/st_activity/matcha-lava-cake/
 

4. Carrots

 
The classic carrot cake is a comfort food for many people. Tender, sweet and a comely golden-orange colour topped with delectable spread cream cheese.
 
Carrots contain several vitamins and minerals that can boost your immune system such as;

  • Vitamin A,
  • B-Vitamins,
  • Vitamin C,
  • Vitamin E,v
  • Iron,
  • Zinc,
  • and copper.

Each of these components help improve your well being. The minerals are also not something to be wary of as these minerals are essential to maintaining the strength of your immune system. They can do this by encouraging the development cells that attack and eliminate various kinds of substances that are dangerous to the human body.
 

5. Yogurt

 
Yogurt’s main marketing point is how healthy they are for you. It boosts the efficiency of your immune system as well as providing other health benefits. Also, they’re really delicious!
 
The function of probiotics in yogurt is to support and maintain the health of your digestive system and entire body. After all, if there’s bacteria everywhere already, why don’t you make sure it’s the good ones that get in your body?
 
But be sure to buy brands of yogurt with “live and active cultures” on their labels. Greek yogurt is a great brand to buy. Also make an effort to buy original flavours that don’t come pre-made with flavourings, these kinds of yogurts often come saturated with sugar, straight out of the store.
 
Instead, replace the sugar in your serving with healthier sweeteners such as fresh fruits or honey.
 

6. Dark chocolate

Ending this note is the one baking ingredient that everyone loves to tell you “Didn’t you know, it’s actually pretty healthy!”
 
But do you know why?
 
There is an antioxidant called theobromine in dark chocolate. It’s job is to protect the immune system from byproducts of your body’s food breakdown process. Following the theme of characterising our baking ingredients, dark chocolate brings out the scouts to patrol for things that may harm you.
 
Although you should be mindful of all chocolate’s high calories and saturated fat content, if you were to make a chocolate dessert, it would be better for you to use dark chocolate over other kinds of chocolate.
 

 
So what have we learnt?

  • Always strive for fresh, healthy ingredients
  • Every dish can be healthy and beneficial in some way, so long as you make the right choices
  • And finally, your immune system is your first line of defence against COVID-19 as well as other illnesses, so it’s best you look after it, and you don’t even have to compromise your sweet tooth for it!

 
If you’re still feeling a bit sluggish, try making your own detox water to organically give your body that extra energy boost that it needs