Introduction
Eating healthy is essential for maintaining a strong immune system. But with so many different diets and food trends out there, it can be hard to know what to eat and what to avoid. Dietitians have identified certain eating habits that can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to illness. In this article, we’ll discuss the eating habits to avoid for a better immune system, according to dietitians. We’ll also provide some tips on what to eat instead, so you can make sure you’re getting the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy.
Eating Habits to Avoid For a Better Immune System, Say Dietitians
Eating healthy is essential for maintaining a strong immune system, and dietitians have identified certain eating habits that can weaken your immune system. Here are some of the eating habits to avoid for a better immune system.
1. Eating Too Much Processed Food
Processed foods are often high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, which can weaken your immune system. Eating too much processed food can also lead to weight gain, which can further weaken your immune system. Instead, opt for fresh, whole foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals.
2. Not Eating Enough Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that can help strengthen your immune system. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables can also help you get the antioxidants and phytochemicals that can help protect your body from disease. Aim to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
3. Eating Too Much Sugar
Eating too much sugar can weaken your immune system and increase your risk of developing chronic diseases. Try to limit your intake of added sugars, such as those found in candy, cakes, and other sweets. Instead, opt for natural sources of sugar, such as fruits and honey.
4. Not Drinking Enough Water
Staying hydrated is essential for a strong immune system. Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration, which can weaken your immune system. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water each day to stay hydrated and keep your immune system strong.
5. Eating Too Much Red Meat
Eating too much red meat can increase your risk of developing certain chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. Red meat is also high in saturated fat, which can weaken your immune system. Try to limit your intake of red meat and opt for leaner sources of protein, such as fish, poultry, and beans.
Conclusion
Eating healthy is essential for maintaining a strong immune system. Dietitians recommend avoiding certain eating habits, such as eating too much processed food, not eating enough fruits and vegetables, eating too much sugar, not drinking enough water, and eating too much red meat. By avoiding these habits, you can help keep your immune system strong and protect yourself from disease.
For many people, the scariest thing about winter approaching isn’t the thought of digging out those snow boots and braving the increasingly bitter weather: it’s the return of cold and flu season. While washing your hands thoroughly, avoiding crowds, and steering clear of anyone you know to be sick can all help reduce your risk of coming down with something, those measures may not be enough to keep you safe. In fact, many of your eating habits could be putting a damper on your immune health, making it harder for you to fend off those nasty bugs going around.
If you want to protect yourself, read on to discover the eating habits you should avoid for a healthier immune system, according to experts. And for more ways to improve your overall health, check out The 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.
They say variety is the spice of life—and it just so happens to be one of the best ways to boost your immune system, too. In fact, Amanda Sauceda, MS, RDN, CLT, says that a lack of diversity on your plate could be crippling your immune health.
“If you’re eating the same thing over and over, it could be a potential downer for your immune health. With 70% of your immune system in your gut, you want to look to your intestines to boost your immune system. You want a gut microbiome that has a healthy variety of bacteria which means you need to feed those gut bugs with different types of foods,” Sauceda explains. “An easy way to get variety is to eat different colored fruits and veggies and foods across the food groups.”
RELATED: Popular Foods That Improve Your Gut Health, Says Science
If you’re depriving the beneficial bacteria in your gut of adequate prebiotic fiber, you could be doing your gut health a disservice along the way.
“Prebiotics are the fuel for probiotics (the good bacteria in our gut),” says Kara Landau, RD, a gut health expert dietitian and founder at Uplift Food. “A diet lacking prebiotics starves our gut bacteria, causing a lack of diversity within the microbiome. Poor gut health, in turn, increases the inflammatory markers in our body and decreases the immune response.” If you want to boost your microbiome, make sure to check out these dietitian-approved ways to get more prebiotics in your diet.
While practically everyone indulges their cravings for sugary treats or fried food from time to time, eating too much sugar and fat can have a profoundly negative effect on your immune system.
“A poor diet can lead to the immune system becoming overloaded and result in a pro-inflammatory state. This inflammation is linked to a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. A diet that is high in refined sugar, high in saturated fats, and low in fiber can lead to this inflammation,” explains Sheetal DeCaria MD, an integrative physician and wellness expert at Revitalize Medical Center.
RELATED: Best Eating Habits to Strengthen Your Immune System, Says Dietitian
It’s not just the sugar and fat content in your food that may be negatively affecting your immune health, however. Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, from Balance One Supplements, says that packaged food products loaded with additives can have a similar effect.
“Processed foods are those made from refined carbohydrates, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and other ingredients to enhance shelf stability, flavor, and texture,” explains Best. “When we eat foods like this in large quantities they can irritate the gut, cause an imbalance in gut bacteria, and ultimately leads to chronic low-grade inflammation. This inflammation can lower the body’s proper immune response and lead to an increase in acute and chronic illnesses.”
While limiting your caloric intake may help you lose weight, doing so can also have a detrimental effect on your immune system.
“With any caloric restriction, the body’s metabolic rate lowers in efforts to conserve energy for vital processes. In doing so, processes like immune support decline,” says Rachel Fine, RDN, owner of To The Pointe Nutrition. “One such reason is the body’s inability to efficiently absorb specific immune-boosting micronutrients, such as vitamins A and E, both of which require adequate body fat stores for absorption, storage, and utilization,” Fine adds.
If you want to give your immune system a leg up, check out these Drinking Habits Experts Say Boost Your Immunity, and for the latest healthy living news delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter!