Make Sure to Get These Nutrients in Your Diet

By Stepy Kamei

Building up a healthy diet is one of the most important ways in which you can take care of and even improve your overall health and well-being. It shouldn't be surprising to hear that people who prioritize a healthy diet and eating habits tend to be less likely to develop issues such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain, and even depression. Simply put, having a highly nutritious diet is one crucial factor in keeping your health in tip-top shape. Keep on reading to learn more about the nutrients you should be getting plenty of in your meals throughout the day.

Fresh Fruits and Veggies for Vitamins and Minerals

Having a side of fresh produce with your meals is a great and easy way to get plenty of important vitamins and minerals into your diet every day.

One important nutrient is beta carotene, which converts into Vitamin A in the body and strengthens the immune system. This can be found in leafy greens such as kale, as well as carrots and apricots. Meanwhile, Vitamin C is great for supporting antibodies, and can be obtained by eating foods including broccoli, strawberries, and oranges.

Finding Vitamin D in Your Diet

This essential vitamin is crucial when it comes to fighting off bacteria and viruses -- not to mention it also serves as a natural mood booster as well! You can get Vitamin D by adding foods such as cheese, tofu, mushrooms, and eggs into your snacks and meals.

Help Your Immune System Grow With Zinc

Zinc provides support for the cells in your immune system, so it can continue to grow and flourish. Natural sources of zinc include nuts, beans, seeds, yogurt, and fresh seafood.

Boost the Microbiome, Boost Immunity

It's important to take care of gut and microbiome health as well, as this can help determine the strength of your immune system. Make sure your gut health is active and strong by consuming foods which are rich in probiotics and prebiotics. These include fermented foods like kombucha, kefir, yogurt, kinchi, and sourdough bread. Meanwhile, fresh foods including beans, bananas, onions, and garlic can provide helpful doses of prebiotics, which essentially act as food for the probiotics to feed on.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, you want to make sure that your meals are balanced and providing you with the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients your body needs in order to thrive. Choose minimally-processed foods as often as you can, and do your best to avoid items which are heavy in salt, sugar, and fat content, as these foods can lead to inflammation and reduced immune system health.

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Durham, N.C.