- I’m a dietitian and parent of a newborn and a toddler.
- As we head into cold and flu season, I’m stocking up on my favorite immune-boosting foods.
- My favorite things to get at Costco include POM Wonderful 100% pomegranate juice and canned tomatoes.
As a parent of little ones, I know just how debilitating catching the flu can be to a family. Everyone goes down in succession, making a simple illness take several weeks to run its course. With winter upon us, I’m conscious of the foods I feed my family to support our immune systems.
Costco is one of my favorite retailers to shop at for my family. Although I have an average-sized family, we find that we can easily work our way through the large portions of several staples. Here are some of the products I stock up on this time of year.
Canned diced tomatoes.
With a variety of uses, I cook with canned tomatoes almost every day, making this Costco 8-pack arguably too small.
Besides their versatility, another reason I love canned tomatoes is that they contain more lycopene than fresh tomatoes. The processing involved in canned tomatoes actually boosts this immune-supporting antioxidant.
Chobani protein Greek yogurt.
Greek yogurt with live and active cultures is a great source of probiotics, which, when consumed regularly, can help support a healthy immune system.
With so many brands to choose from, I personally love the Chobani No Sugar Added Protein Greek yogurt because it is sweetened with stevia and packs 20 grams of protein.
Mandarins.
My son loves fruit, but often cannot finish an entire portion. Mandarins are the perfect size for his toddler-sized appetite. The best part? Mandarins are packed with vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that helps your immune cells fight off oxidative stress.
Raw unfiltered honey.
My toddler will eat anything if it is sweet. Enter: honey. I swirl a dollop into his yogurt, spread it on toast, or even use it as a glaze on roasted vegetables. It’s an added bonus that honey is packed with phytonutrients with antibacterial and immune-boosting properties.
Keep in mind that children under the age of 1 should not consume any honey, since it can cause a serious illness called botulism.
Olipop soda.
My favorite way to support my immune health? Stocking up on my favorite healthy soda, OLIPOP. Each can has between 35 and 50 calories, is an excellent source of fiber, and only has two to five grams of sugar. The prebiotics and functional ingredients support digestive health, which plays a key role in overall wellness.
Organic green valley pumpkin
Arguably this season’s favorite vegetable, I use pumpkin in a variety of recipes, including chili, muffins, cookies, stuffed peppers, and even yogurt bark. Not only is it seasonal and delicious, but it is also rich in immune-boosting beta carotene, a precursor to vitamin A.
Minced garlic.
As a busy working mom, I rely heavily on kitchen shortcuts. Pre-minced garlic is one of my favorites because it is always ready in the fridge. If you have time, fresh garlic is slightly better than pre-minced.
In my experience, most dinner recipes call for a quick saute of garlic, which makes the Costco-sized portion a necessity. Beyond being a kitchen staple, garlic also contains a compound called allicin, which is an impressive immune-boosting nutrient.
POM Wonderful pomegranate juice.
Pomegranate juice is rich in polyphenols, a type of antioxidant. Research shows that antioxidants can help to maintain the function of immune cells. I enjoy incorporating pomegranate juice into smoothies, as the base of mocktails, or using it to make pomegranate juice popsicles.
