25
FOOD
Pick seeds!
Seeds like flaxseed and hemp are
perfect foods to add to your daily
diet at this time of year. They are
packed with some of the most
important nutrients that we need for
our immune systems to function well.
For example, Linwoods Immune
Support is a great product to add to
your shopping list over the winter
season. A blend of sprouted milled
flaxseed, hemp seeds, milled brazil
nuts and probiotic cultures, this one
contains selenium, iron and zinc,
along with omega-3, protein, fibre
and a host of nutritious vitamins and
minerals like vitamin D3, vitamin
C and vitamin B12, all of which
contribute to a normal immune
response.
Get into the habit of adding a
spoonful to breakfast to set yourself
up well for the day ahead or stir into
your favourite soup at lunchtime for
a little mid-day boost.
Protein rich!
Our immune cells need a steady
supply of protein to function
properly. Amino acids are essential
for the product of cytokines and
antibodies to help protect us against
bacteria, viruses and pathogens.
Good protein sources include eggs,
meat, fish, chicken, dairy products
(especially cottage cheese and
natural/Greek yoghurt), nuts and
seeds, pulses and tofu. Because
protein is not stored, it is important
to ensure you have some protein at
each meal. Easy ways to do this are
to add some hemp seed to smoothies
or porridge, make soups with beans
or lentils as the base and build dinner
around meat, chicken, fish or pulses.
Spice it up!
Get spicy with your favourites like
ginger, garlic, cumin, rosemary and
thyme. All of these are packed with
antioxidants and have been shown
to help support immune function in
different ways.
Perfect in winter-warming,
one-pot wonders like curry, chilli or
stew, your favourite herbs and spices
go beyond just making your food
taste good.
About the author
Jane McClenaghan is Northern Ireland's most recognised nutritionist
with more than 20 years experience. Her company specialises
in developing and delivering group sessions for corporate and
community clients both online and in-person as well as running an
online membership club and offering one-to-one consultations.
www.vital-nutrition.co.uk
About Linwoods
Linwoods Health Foods is one
of Ireland's leading health food
brands, it aims to enhance
the health and wellbeing of its
customers through nutritiously
dense, healthy foods using
the finest quality plant-based
ingredients and sustainable
production methods.
linwoodshealthfoods.com