Although most of us are enjoying a more “tame” holiday season this year, with regard to gatherings, we will all confront certain other drawbacks of fall and winter. With less sunlight, fewer hours spent outdoors, and an abundance of sugary and starchy holiday foods, it’s no wonder our immune systems often take a hit at this time. Those are some of the reasons we have a “cold and flu season”, after all.

As you continue to pursue your medical weight loss plan, you will be eating healthier foods overall. But in particular, you can choose nutritious snacks that help to support your immune system, such as…

Choose nutrient-dense dips and spreads. Skip the chips and dip, which pack a lot of calories but very little in the way of nutrition. Instead, snack on apple slices with pumpkin seed butter, guacamole with bell pepper strips, or hummus with veggies like carrot sticks and radishes.

Enjoy seasonal veggies.  Roasted pumpkin or sweet potato fries will offer you plenty of vitamins A and C to support your immune system. Toss them in avocado oil before roasting, and sprinkle on spices like cumin or ground coriander to add extra immune power.

Try brazil nuts. A single brazil nuts contains your daily recommended amount of selenium, an important nutrient for detoxification and thyroid function.

Snack on yogurt with manuka honey. The probiotics in yogurt help to support a healthy gastrointestinal tract, and manuka honey is said to be good for warding off illness.

Drink green tea. Tea contains amino acids and antioxidants that help to fight stress and soothe inflammation in the body. Plus, tea is warm and comforting, making it a great trade for calorie-dense coffee drinks.

These snack ideas should help you pack more nutrients into your daily eating plan, and can help you still healthier this winter. But if you need more input on balancing your meals to help you meet your health goals, call us to discuss a medical weight loss plan.