Boosting your immune system through food
Dietitian Sylven Masoga shares food safety 101 and foods that will help boost your immune system.
Food plays a vital role when it comes to one's health.
Eating the wrong food can make us prone to diseases and result in digestive issues.
The right food, on the other hand, can do wonders for one's health.
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Dietitians say it is advisable to eat a variety of healthy foods from the five food groups each day.
These are fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy. Eating foods from these groups will ensure you get the nutrients your body needs.
Dietitian Sylven Masoga from Limpopo says food preparation is also key.
“Wash your hands with clean water and soap before cooking,” says the dietitian.
Our hands carry a lot of germs and washing them thoroughly is the best way to prevent issues.
Also, wash kitchen surfaces and utensils with soapy water.
The food you are going to eat also needs to be washed.
READ: Basic hygiene habits to teach your children
Masoga says it is important to eat foods that boost your immune system.
"Those with a weaker immune system might have the highest risk of contracting viruses,“ he says.
Masoga says to boost the immune system, it is important to eat healthy foods, especially vegetables and fruits.
He says people need to eat more foods that are packed with Vitamin C.
“Vitamin C foods such as oranges, grapes help boost the immune system. People must eat spinach and mostly green vegetables," advises Masoga.
He also recommends people eating onions and green pepper, or any foods that have antioxidants.
He says these antioxidants help fight infections.
Masoga warns against consuming fatty foods.
A diet rich in saturated fat can raise cholesterol levels in the blood, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.