Add This to Your Grocery List for an Immune Boost

1 oz of red bell pepper has 3 times as much Vitamin C as an orange.

As kids are back in school and we prepare for the fall season, nutritionists say the grocery store and produce stands are key to boosting our immune systems! Here are a few things for your list.  Add grapefruit, oranges, lemon, lime, kiwi, papaya and cantaloupe for Vitamins C. Because our bodies don’t produce or store it, we need daily Vitamin C for continued health. The dose recommended for women is 75 mg, 90mg for men.   Picking up one whole cantaloupe is a great powerhouse for your family as it has 202.6 mg.  It also has your daily need for Vitamin A.  But don’t just think fruits when it comes to Vitamin C.  One ounce of red bell pepper contains almost 3 times as much as an orange.  Red peppers are also a rich source of beta carotene.  Broccoli is supercharged with vitamins A, C, E, fiber and antioxidants. Broccoli is one of the healthiest vegetables you can put on your plate.  Raw is best. steaming is a good alternative. Pick up things like ginger and turmeric too.  Ginger may help decreases inflammation which can help your sore throats, pain and nausea.  Turmeric gets lots of props as an immune booster.  Research shows high concentrations help decrease muscle damage and may have antiviral properties. You can mix both ginger and turmeric in smoothies or take as supplements.  And there’s good reason when you’re sick and reach for the chicken soup. Poultry is high in vitamin B-6.  About 3 ounces of chicken and turkey contains one third of your daily recommended amount.  B-6 is vital to the formation of new and healthy red blood cells. Stock or broth, made by boiling whole chicken, contains other nutrients helpful for your gut and immunity.