WHAT we eat can boost our immunity and stress response amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a Ballarat naturopath wants to reiterate. But she also says it is important to find the right foods for our body.
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Intrinsic Healthcare practitioner Maria Marshall said one of the major ways to look after ourselves during these uncertain times was with a healthy diet.
Ms Marshall, guest presenter for Compassionate Ballarat's webinar series this week, said there were lots of simple immune-boosters to add to meals, working more fresh fruit, vegetables and nut into our diets.
She said 80 per cent of the body's immune cells were grown in the gut so a healthy gut promoted a healthy body. This aids in regulating inflammation and regulating immune function and response.
It's not about going out and buying lots of supplements, but a balanced diet.
- Maria Marshall, naturopath
"It's not about going out and buying lots of supplements, but a balanced diet with fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes and nuts," Ms Marshall said in her presentation on Wednesday.
Easy immune-boosting tips she suggested were smoothies, pureeing vegetables and freezing into ice-cubes to add to meals during the week, and chicken stock.
TOP TIPS
- Chicken stock: chuck in different veggies for soups and soup bases
- Puree cubes: cook up root veggies, puree, freeze into cubes to add to different dishes
- Smoothies: good milk (dairy or non-dairy), berries, extra fruit or supplements
Ms Marshall said each of these methods offered a chance to add in lots of different fruits and vegetables for a wide-range of vitamins, minerals and antioxidents our bodies need.
Chicken stock was one of Ms Marshall's recommendations for an immune boosting food, also shown to increase nasal fluid which in turn helps flush bacteria out of the body.
There are no foods proven to protect against or to combat COVID-19 but health experts agree having a healthy diet, exercise and managing stress can boost your immune response to help fight off infection and promote good mental health.
Australia Health Policy Collaboration lead Rosemary Calder and Heart Foundation's chief medical officer Garry Jennings have both told The Courier the higher risks chronic disease can have for people who contract COVID-19.
They agree the best prevention is with a healthy diet and exercise.
Ms Marshall said it was important people with health concerns visit their general practitioner or a qualified health professional. She said not all foods benefit people in the same ways so it was vital to know what worked for your body.
Compassionate Ballarat free webinars run weeekly on Wednesday mornings to promote well-being during the pandemic.
Next week's session is with Anglican priest and shower bus leader Father Constantine Osuchukwu. Upcoming sessions will focus on caring for carers and fitness. Details to join: compassionateballarat.com.au/whats-on.
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