Grandmothers and mothers have insisted on kids bundling up in cold weather for centuries, and with good reason. The chilly winter months can give the body’s immune system a run for its money. Designed to be a powerful, bug-fighting machine, our immune system uses cells to defeat viruses before they can negatively affect us.
Some people scoff at the notion that colder weather is to blame for the onslaught of sickness in the wintertime, but—like it or not—influenza and similar viruses tend to spike as the temperatures drop outside. Our immune systems must work harder during the wintertime, so why not do whatever we can to help them win the fight?
Eating the right foods and snacks can help strengthen our immunity. While no one food delivers a magical guarantee that it will prevent you from getting sick, the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health explains: “Eating enough nutrients as part of a varied diet is required for the health and function of all cells, including immune cells.”
The human body requires the presence of many micronutrients to sustain a strong immune response. Nutrients from foods containing vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, selenium, iron, and protein found in an assortment of foods from plants and animals are an important part of staying healthy. When our diets lack nutrients, the production and activity of immune cells and antibodies become impaired—putting us at risk of getting sick.
Pistachio Oat Squares
Pistachios have been found to be a solid source of antioxidants, fiber, and protein—plus they are the lowest calorie nut. They’re delicious to snack on by themselves, or if you’re looking for a new way to incorporate the immune-boosting nuts into your diet, try this recipe for Pistachio Oat Squares.
Aside from the benefits of pistachios, this recipe includes unsweetened coconut flakes for more immune-boosting power. Coconut flakes provide protein, iron, and zinc—all of which strengthen our physical bodies. Zinc also plays a key role in our body’s senses of sight, scent, and taste.
Immune-Boosting Protein Bites
This recipe for Immune-Boosting Protein Bites yields a great on-the-go snack that offers a delicious energy kick whenever you need it. They contain chia seeds, flax, and hemp hearts, which all help with giving our bodies some of the omega-3 fats we need for healthy cell function.
Frozen Chocolate-Covered Bananas
Famous for their potassium content, bananas deserve a lot more credit for the role they can play in a healthy diet for people of all ages. Bananas are rich in Vitamin C and other good nutrients our bodies need to thrive.
If you’re looking for a way to mix up the flavor of bananas while still taking in their empowering health qualities, try making frozen chocolate-covered bananas for a sweet treat. Using dark chocolate to coat the bananas will give another immune system boost as it contains essential antioxidants and minerals we need.
Add some toasted coconut, dried raspberries, or crushed nuts to the final product for even more flavor, variety, and nutrients. As a wholesale food supplier, Weaver Nut offers dried banana chips in our selection of dried fruits if you’re looking for a mess-free, portable snack option.
Homemade Muesli Bars
Baked with nuts, seeds, puffed rice, honey, and coconut, these Homemade Muesli Bars can be made ahead to take to the office, school, job site, or wherever you go. With lots of crunch and sweet and salty flavors, they offer a healthy immune boost when you’re craving a snack.
Making these at home versus purchasing pre made bars at the store guarantees you’ll know what goes inside, and this recipe contains no hidden preservatives, additives, or artificial flavorings.
Chocolate-Covered Snickers-Stuffed Dates
This mouthwatering recipe for chocolate-covered Snickers-stuffed dates contains Medjool dates, which are chock full of potassium, fiber, vitamin B, iron, and magnesium. One study found Medjool and other types of dates lowered LDL cholesterol (the bad one).
More Immune-Boosting Snacks with Minimal Prep Work
We often make unhealthy eating choices when we haven’t set aside time to prepare healthier alternatives. Below we have immune-boosting snack ideas that involve little to no preparation and can be stashed in your vehicle for when you’re on the go or prepared at a moment’s notice at home when you’re too exhausted to tackle a recipe. Keeping your home stocked with healthy options is a great way to proactively ensure you’ll be giving your body optimal nutrition.
Here are a few of the immune-boosting snacks we offer as a wholesale food supplier for you or your customers. These are great as stand-alone treats or incorporated into myriad recipes you can come up with.
Raisins are low in calories but high in calcium, iron, and vitamin C – all of which give the immune system a boost in fighting off infections. Raisins also contain anti-inflammatory properties to strengthen your health. With so many varieties, you’re sure to find one you love. Or try sprinkling them with cinnamon for a simple twist.
Calcium, essential oils, potassium, and protein are all excellent immune boosters found in dried fruits. Chewing on dried fruits will also give your body extra antioxidants to help fight against sicknesses.
Healthy like its name implies, this crunchy mix contains raw pepitas (green pumpkin seeds), sunflower seeds, Thompson raisins, roasted no-salt peanuts, raw walnuts, Brazil nuts, raw almonds, and diced dates. We offer plenty of other appetizing snack mixes and bulk nuts, too.
Loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants, dark chocolate (in moderation, of course) makes a wonderful healthy treat when you need a sweet fix.
You can’t spell nutrients without nut, and nuts have certainly earned their place as a healthy, immune-boosting food. Bulk nuts are perennially popular to say the least, as nuts are not only delicious but provide plant-based protein, fiber, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, vitamin B6, and antioxidants.
Your Trusted Wholesale Food Supplier for Bulk Nuts and Other Immune-Boosting Snacks
At Weaver Nut, we want to be the wholesale food supplier for all your needs when it comes to bulk nuts and snacks in the winter and all year long. We have specialized in bulk nuts, including almonds, peanuts, cashews, and more, since our inception in 1975. We’re not about to change that tradition of excellence now. Make sure to visit us online to check our inventory, and contact us with any questions or concerns.