dec 12/21 - How to boost your immune system, especially during the holidays...

I'm in Seville, Spain and WOW! As you fly in all you see is oranges, EVERYWHERE! Made me think about writing a blog on oranges, antioxidants and the power of Vitamin C! For some reason this particular blog is rejecting my pictures but trust me when I say Seville is full of oranges!

It's the Christmas season and that means there is an abundance of Christmas oranges in the stores! I believe the easiest way to boost your immune system is Vitamin C and the oranges of Seville this past week reminded me of that. I loved Seville and as a Nutritionist I have to talk about the ridiculous amount of oranges here! As you fly in you see oranges, as you drive in they line the streets and absolutely everywhere you walk there are orange trees. To be honest, I was surprised, I had no idea Seville had so many oranges! It’s Dec 1/21 here and I just love seeing fruit on trees!

So with this many oranges I would hope the people of Seville are taking advantage of the benefits of oranges. Here are a few reasons to include these Vitamin C rich foods in your diet, especially over the holiday season. Start now to get a good base before the craziness of the holidays sets in.

1. Christmas oranges are readily available to purchase. These cute little mandarin oranges are handy to eat, they come in a big box with about 100 oranges for $10 so its an easy way to get some great Vit C into your diet on a daily basis! 

2. The Vitamin C in oranges boost the immune system in a way you might not think. They are also great for gut health with roughly 3grams of fiber in a medium orange. Gut health is directly related to immune health. Fiber eases constipation and keeps your bowels running regular as well as helps you feel fuller longer so you eat less of those holiday treats! Try an orange before your next holiday party!

3. Eating oranges protect cells from damage due to the beta carotene that makes an orange the orange colour it is! It promotes cellular health and helps fight free radicals!

4. The antioxidants in oranges help the body make collagen, a protein that heals wounds and gives you smoother skin. 

5. Plus oranges make it easier to absorb iron to fight anemia. Eating with iron rich foods like grass fed beef will help absorb the iron so even try grating the orange peel on your next beef and broccoli stir fry, adding some orange juice into the stirfry sauce and taste the difference the fresh orange makes to your meal! 

6. Oranges are a great anti-inflammatory food! With over 170 phytochemicals they are powerful in fighting inflammation which is linked to diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and Alzheimer's. 

If you are one of those that tend to find themselves sick and run down after the rush of the holiday season try incorporating more Vitamin C rich foods like oranges but even supplements with another 2000mg a day the last two weeks of December. When I want to boost my immune system I take 6000mg a day and it works every single time! I like to get my Vitamin C from both food and supplementation. I have included my favourite Vitamin C drink as well in the pictures. I’m definitely going to get my fill of everything orange while I’m here and get ready for a cold and snowy return to Canada for the holidays!

Thank you for following my journey to writing a book series!
Stay balanced,
​LeeAnna