Boost your immune system: what really works Watch Video
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo
By Andrea Bullard
Monday, November 02, 2009 at 4:20 p.m.

Read more: Local, Health, Health

Swine flu has Americans scrambling for ways to stay healthy. Some wait in lines for hours to get the vaccine. Other are limiting their contact with people or carrying hand sanitizer everywhere they go. But with only a limited number of shots being given out, and the reality that you can't hide from the real world, many people are looking to other ways to stay healthy.

Many food makers are marketing these so called "super" foods. These foods claim to boost your immunity just by eating them. For example...Juicy Juice claims if you drink it, you will boost your immune system because it has lots of vitamin C and Zinc. DanActive Immunity, a popular yogurt-like drink, says adding this to your diet will strengthen your body’s defenses. Kellogg’s Cocoa Krispies claim it has 25 percent of your daily value of antioxidants and nutrients, along with vitamins A, B, C and E.

We asked Chelsey Wallace, a registered dietitian at St. Joseph’s Hospital, if these claims could be real. She said both the Juicy Juice and the DanActive do contain vitamins essential to fighting colds like Zinc and vitamin C. Adding these to a well balanced diet and healthy lifestyle can't hurt.

The Cocoa Krispies on the other hand should be avoided. Wallace says, while the cereal did add antioxidants, Cocoa Krispies is not a healthy choice because it's loaded with sugar. She recommends staying away from this all together.

If you are looking for foods that are proven to boost your immune system, she recommends fruits and veggies. Things like oranges, grapefruit, carrots, spinach, berries, and yes even broccoli.

SPONSORED CONTENT
No comments yet
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; they are not reflective of the views or opinions of Barrington Broadcasting, NBC3, its directors or employees. If you believe a comment violates the Barrington Terms of Use, please report it here.
Health
ADVERTISEMENT

PopularCommented


CONSUMER INFO