SPONSORED: Boost your immune system and beat the flu season with a delicious healthy eating plan for all the family

With the onset of the flu season, an award-winning nutritionist has launched a new campaign to highlight the importance of boosting your immune system while embracing a healthy diet to keep you and your family fit and happy in the final few months of the year.

Traditionally, from October flu and cold cases begin to rise as the colder weather sets in. But now we also have to contend with COVID-19 and respiratory (RSV) illnesses, which can batter your immune system and knock out your body’s natural defences.

But according to Laura Warren of Elite Living Nutition, making a few simple dietary and lifestyle changes can drastically bolster your immunity and ensure you stay health and happy during the cold winter months in the countdown to Christmas.

Laura said: “This is traditionally the time of the year we are most vulnerable to flu, cold and the whole viral jungle modern lifestyles have to content to. Most people get a flu shot to stay healthy, but good food choices and a little exercise can dramatically boost the body’s immune system and help fight off illness during the colder winter months.”

The Kilkenny native – who was named Best Nutritionist, Weight Loss Expert & Naturopath Practitioner of the Year 2024 at the Global Healthcare & Pharmaceutical Fitness & Nutrition Awards for the fourth consecutive year and has more than urges people to avoid the temptation of skipping meals, and to avoid processed foods where possible.

She also advises to steer clear of all forms of yo-yo dieting and weight loss ‘fads’, which will only yield short term results, at best.

“Fad diets won’t do your immune system any favours,” Laura said. “Instead, eat a wide variety of healthy foods, and try to build your meal around vegetables and non-red meats. And eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on taste – in fact, the opposite is true. Here at Elite Living Nutrition, we have put together a mouth-watering array of easy to cook dishes with delicious ingredients that every member of the family can enjoy.”

One culinary tip is to “aim to fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables, such as gingery stir-fried asparagus, roasted curry cauliflower, sautéed garlic spinach, fresh tomato salad, or grilled mushrooms – and do this first”, according to Laura, who advocates a holistic approach to health eating and weight loss.

“Fruits and vegetables are full of nutrients called antioxidants that build up your immune system. When it comes to healthy eating, the key is synergy; there isn’t just one specific nutrient or food component that’s linked to staying healthy, so mix it up in the kitchen using health ingredients and produce to keep it interesting.”

The naturopathic nutritionist/practitioner  works with a diverse array of clients, of all ages and body types, and devises unique programmes with a proven track record which are tailored for people’s unique needs and tastes.

She rejects all forms of weight cycling (also known as ‘yo-yo-dieting’), and instead advocates an education and science-based approach to sustainable nutrition.

“Short-term weight loss programmes are all just fads and have no benefit long-term,” Laura stresses. “If you want to improve your nutritional health and to lose weight, you must find a sustainable programme that educates you on how to find the best version of yourself.

“The problem for many people is often simply not knowing where to start. But the good news is that, with a little bit of education, you can achieve a healthy nutritional balance without punishing yourself or your body, which I completely reject.”

According to Laura, a good nutrition plan heading into the winter months should not leave you feeling hungry – “you should feel energetic throughout your day and not starved”.

She added: “First-time clients on my 30-Day Sculpt & Shred programme are initially amazed by the amount of food they can eat, while getting the results they need to get in the best shape of their life. So I would urge people to follow the science, not the fads! I am happy to provide a free consultation to anyone interesting in following a tailor-made nutrition plan that will keep you and your family fighting fit and healthy over the winter months.”

*To find out more about Elite Living Nutrition’s tailor made nutrition plans and recipes, contact info@elitelivingnutrition.com or call send Laura  a WhatsApp message directly on 083 881 9377.

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