3 top foods to avoid (and best swaps!) to protect your lungs from COVID-19

COVID-19 is a parasite, and as such, eats at the table of another…let’s make sure you’re not that “another”! 

A very important thing to know is that this kind of virus affects the lower more than the upper respiratory system, which can result in SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and pneumonia if your immune system and the health of your lungs are not their best.  

So this bears the question: How can we make our table, a.k.a our body, not an interesting one for COVID-19 to sit at? How can we make our system strong enough to kick it in the butt if it decides to do so?

There are many immune-boosting foods, supplements, and essential oils you can integrate into your daily routine to strengthen your system. I shared my faves over the past few days and I’m sure you’ve received more than enough advice and tips, to a point that it becomes overwhelming.

It's time to go macro! Let’s talk about the top 3 foods you should remove from your diet because they increase mucus production, which in turn, compromises your respiratory and immune health.

1. SUGAR

Think beyond the sugar you may be adding to your coffee or tea. Sugar, especially the bad type, is in many packaged goods and under many different names including cane sugar, lactose, sorbitol, xylitol, etc.

Sugar is highly addictive, it weakens the immune system, feeds free radicals, makes your body more acidic, and steals vitamins and minerals from your bones which can increase the risk of osteoporosis.

Better swaps? Maple syrup, monk fruit or molasses.  I’d also recommend raw honey but I’m trying to support the bees these days…

Yummy sugar craving-killing option? Try cashew, almond, or coconut yogurt with raspberries, blueberries, goji berries, hemp seeds, cinnamon, and a bit of maple syrup.  As yummy as it looks in the pic!

2. DAIRY

Even if you’re not lactose intolerant, dairy can increase mucus production and impact your immune and respiratory system.  If you want to benefit from its probiotic properties in the form of yogurt, try the coconut type with living cultures.

Let’s talk about cheese…As a good Spaniard, I love manchego! But I’ve learned to take it as a treat and not as a daily habit. And it works.  

Best swaps? Go vegan for a few days and see how you feel. There are so many options these days. Swap your regular cheese for cashew and almond-based.  If you miss it too much, sheep and goat cheese have less concentration of sugar.

And needless to say, there are millions of options nowadays to replace cow's milk - almond, coconut, oat, cashew, macadamia...you name it.

3. GLUTEN

Even if you don’t suffer from celiac disease or don’t think you have allergies or sensitivities to gluten, this protein found in wheat, rye, and barley compromises everyone’s digestion every single day. 

In many cases, it creates an opportunity for malabsorption of nutrients that result in all sorts of gut issues and symptoms, bloating being the most common nowadays, and ultimately can trigger an immune reaction.

Best swaps?  Brown rice or quinoa cakes are super versatile.  Have them with avocado and hummus and top it with pumpkin seeds, olive oil, and some turmeric. If choosing gluten-free bread, make sure the ingredients are not worse than gluten itself.

Looking after your immune system can be the start of loving new healthy foods you never thought to try.  Stay safe, healthy, and happy!

Would you like help in making healthier food choices for you and your family?

Book a 30-minute Discovery consultation and work with me to get your strategy aligned with your goals.