15 Best Healthy Recipes to Boost Your Immunity (2024)

With holidays and colder months approaching, immunity is fresh on our minds. Whether you're stocking up on extra supplements or packing your pantry full of healthy ingredients, chances are you're thinking about how to keep your immune system healthy during the upcoming cold and flu season.

"A healthy immune system is vital for good health because it helps fight off any foreign invaders to the body, and if our immune systems are healthy, it's easier to fight bacteria, viruses or anything else trying to make us sick," says Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND award winning nutrition expert and Wall Street Journal best-selling author of The Family Immunity Cookbook.

And even though it may sound overwhelming to make sure your immune system is healthy, Amidor says "it all starts with what you eat."

That is why we have this roundup ofdelicious, healthy recipes that can help boost your immune system this season and help you stay true to your health goals.

Check out our favorite immunity recipes, and for more ideas of what to make for breakfast, make sure to check out the 22 Cozy Breakfast Recipes That Are Perfect For Weight Loss.

Fire Cider Recipe

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This deliciously spicy cider is full of immune-boosting ingredients like garlic, honey, apple cider vinegar, and orange. You can make it quickly or do it the old-fashioned cider way, but it will give you a necessary immunity boost for the winter either way.

Get our recipe for Fire Cider

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Potato and Kale Soup

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Kale is considered one of the best foods to eat to boost your immune system, so enjoy it in a warm, hearty potato and kale soup this season.

Get our recipe for Potato and Kale Soup

Tomato and Garlic Sauce

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Garlic and tomatoes are other great immunity-boosting ingredients, and this recipe perfectly combines them into a flavorful sauce for your favorite pasta dish.

Get our recipe for Tomato and Garlic Sauce

Immune-Boosting Brownies

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There's nothing better than a brownie recipe that can also help boost your immune system's health. Bake these up and share them with your family—or, just enjoy them all to yourself!

Get the recipe from Toby Amidor Nutrition

Beef and Sweet Potato Bowls

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These bowls are full of healthy ingredients—like ginger, garlic, broth, spinach, and potatoes—to help you combat flu season.

Get the recipe from Toby Amidor Nutrition

Hearty Lentil Tomato Soup

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There's nothing cozier than enjoying soup on a cold winter day, and this one is full of immune-boosting ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, turmeric, and ground ginger.

Get the recipe from Toby Amidor Nutrition

Coconut Curry Ramen

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You can still enjoy restaurant-quality curry at home for half the price. Enjoy mushrooms, garlic, onions, delicious broth, and natural sweetness from coconut milk.

Get the recipe from Minimalist Baker

Immunity Power Bowl

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Everything about this bowl is powerful. Enjoy the perfect combination of sweet potatoes, pumpkin seeds, kale, chickpeas, and fresh avocado slices on top.

Get the recipe from One Ingredient Chef

Immune-Boosting Wellness Smoothie

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Healthy smoothies are a great way to boost your immunity because you can get a ton of nutrients early in the morning to start your day off right! This one is packed full of greens, citrus, and anti-inflammatory spices.

Get the recipe from Ambitious Kitchen

Adaptogenic Hot Chocolate

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Adaptogens are natural ingredients that are used to help your body in different ways, and this immunity recipe is full of them. You'll have reishi mushrooms, Ashwagandha, and maca powder mixed with cocoa powder and cinnamon for a cozy cup of hot chocolate at any time of day.

Get the recipe from Minimalist Baker

Ginger Garlic Miso Tahini Dressing

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Ginger and garlic are powerful ingredients that help with inflammation, and this recipe perfectly combines them to make a delicious dressing that's great on any type of salad.

Get the recipe from Minimalist Baker

Immune-Boosting Soup

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The combination of kale, bok choy, mushrooms, garlic, and coconut oil makes for a delicious and easy recipe to try on a chill fall day.

Get the recipe from Healthy Maven

Turmeric Smoothie

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If you want the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric but aren't a fan of the taste-this is the smoothie recipe for you. It tastes just like your favorite creamy berry smoothie, but it's packed full of fruit, spinach, yogurt, and turmeric to give you a health boost in the morning or for a mid-afternoon snack.

Get the recipe from Well Plated By Erin

Easy Chicken Soup

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You can't talk about immune-boosting recipes without discussing a classic chicken noodle soup. This one combines all your favorite ingredients and makes for the perfect comfort soup.

Get the recipe from Ambitious Kitchen

Orange Probiotic Immunity Boosting Smoothie

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Not only does this smoothie come with immunity-boosting ingredients like orange, carrot, ginger, and cinnamon, but the kefir yogurt will help your gut health, as well.

Get the recipe from Cotter Crunch

Read these next:

  • 15 Best Healthy Banana Bread Recipes
  • 21 Cozy Oatmeal Recipes Perfect for Weight Loss This Fall
  • 23 Cozy Crock-Pot Recipes Perfect for Weight Loss This Fall
15 Best Healthy Recipes to Boost Your Immunity (2024)

FAQs

What is the best meal to boost the immune system? ›

Consuming foods high in vitamin C such as grapefruits, oranges, tangerines, sweet red pepper, broccoli, strawberries, kale, and kiwifruit are thought to increase white blood cell production, which is key to fighting infection.

Which foods boost immunity faster? ›

10 foods to boost your immune system
  • Berries. With a wide variety to choose from, you can't go wrong adding these little nutrient packed sweet treats to your regular diet. ...
  • Fish oil. ...
  • Leafy greens. ...
  • Nuts and seeds. ...
  • Spices. ...
  • Citrus fruits. ...
  • Poultry. ...
  • Brightly colored vegetables.
Jul 5, 2022

Which fruit is no 1 immunity booster? ›

Citrus fruits like oranges, grapes are an excellent source of vitamin C. Vitamin C boosts your immunity and reduce your cold, cough suffering duration by improving your immunity.

How can I boost my immune system quickly? ›

“A lifestyle that includes eating healthy foods, physical activity, reducing stress, and getting enough sleep is known to keep your immune system in the best shape,” adds Milner, who is a leader in the discovery of rare immune deficiency disorders of children.

What foods help fight viruses? ›

Foods that help your immune system

Specific veggies and fruits that reduce inflammation are apples, berries, tomatoes, celery and onions. Add fermented foods. Fermented foods have “good bacteria,” a.k.a. probiotics that help your immune system.

How to fix a weak immune system? ›

Six Tips to Enhance Immunity
  1. Eat Well. Food Assistance. ...
  2. Be Physically Active. Reduced Risk of Death. ...
  3. Maintain a Healthy Weight. Excess weight can affect how your body functions. ...
  4. Get Enough Sleep. ...
  5. Quit Smoking. ...
  6. Avoid Too Much Alcohol. ...
  7. In Summary.

What can I drink to boost my immune system? ›

Cutting back on caffeine, avoiding alcohol and drinking more water is good for your health in general, as well as your immune system. Try infusing your water with berries or citrus fruits for a delicious drink with extra vitamin C, to help keep your immune system working well.

What weakens the immune system? ›

Your immune system can also be weakened by smoking, alcohol, and poor nutrition. AIDS. HIV, which causes AIDS, is an acquired viral infection that destroys important white blood cells and weakens the immune system. People with HIV/AIDS become seriously ill with infections that most people can fight off.

What is an immunity booster? ›

Immunity boosters are anything that can help bolster the immune system in a natural way. You can do this by changing your diet, improving your sleep quality, exercising regularly, managing stress, drinking more water, and so on.

What is the strongest immune system booster? ›

Vitamins B6, C and E are all known for their immune-boosting properties. You can get all of these vitamins from a well-balanced diet, so you don't need supplements. Some foods rich in these vitamins include eggs, bell peppers, spinach and almonds.

What foods are immunity killers? ›

10 Foods That May Weaken Your Immune System
  • Added sugar. There's no doubt that limiting how much added sugar you consume promotes your overall health and immune function. ...
  • Salty foods. ...
  • Foods high in omega-6 fats. ...
  • Fried foods. ...
  • Processed and charred meats. ...
  • Fast food. ...
  • Foods that contain certain additives. ...
  • Highly refined carbs.
Mar 22, 2021

Which food has the highest immunity? ›

Which foods boost the immune system?
  • Ginger. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Green tea. ...
  • Kefir. ...
  • Sunflower seeds. ...
  • Almonds. ...
  • Oranges or kiwifruit (kiwis) ...
  • Red bell pepper. For people trying to avoid the sugar in fruit, red bell peppers are an excellent alternative source of vitamin C.

How can I spike my immune system? ›

6 Ways to Boost Your Immune System
  1. Stay up-to-date on recommended vaccines. A strong immune system means taking advantage of the best leg up we have to protect ourselves from harmful illnesses: vaccines. ...
  2. Maintain a healthy diet. ...
  3. Exercise regularly. ...
  4. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. ...
  5. Get plenty of sleep. ...
  6. Minimize stress.
Oct 21, 2022

Which juice is best for immunity? ›

8 Immunity Boosting Juices to Improve your Health
  • Apple, carrot and Orange Juice.
  • Tomato and Carrot Juice.
  • Kale, Spinach and Lettuce Juice.
  • Orange and Grapefruit Juice.
  • Kale, Tomato and Cherry Juice.
  • Beet, Carrot, Ginger and Turmeric Juice.
  • Watermelon Juice.
  • Strawberry and Mango Juice.

Why am I getting sick so often? ›

Genetics, high stress levels, and your environment may explain why you get sick so often. Even if you're generally healthy, it's always possible to get sick. How often you get sick as a healthy person depends on how your body functions. You have different types of immunity, which affect your likelihood of getting sick.

What is the best fast for the immune system? ›

New research on intermittent fasting is encouraging because much of the effects of a three-day fast on the immune system are found with much shorter periods like the 16 to 20 hours of fasting typically associated with intermittent fasting.

Does egg improve immunity? ›

Eggs. Adequate protein intake is important to support immune response, and eggs are a great way to do this since they also contain nutrients like vitamin D, zinc, selenium, and vitamin E that the body needs for proper immune functioning. If you can, opt for eggs from chickens that were fed a vegetarian diet.

What protein is good for the immune system? ›

Nutrition to boost immune system

People should consume complete, high-quality proteins (egg, dairy, and soy proteins) in their daily diet. Other important immunity enhancing properties are found in vitamins (Vitamin C, B6 and E), essential fatty acids, and some probiotics.

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