Our Favorite Immune Boosting Snacks + Recipes

Our Favorite Immune-Boosting Snacks

Gosh, it feels like everyone is always coming down with something, especially when the seasons change. I'm always looking for little ways to keep my family and myself from getting knocked down by the latest bug going around. It's not about finding some magic cure, I mean, but more about just... helping our bodies out, you know? Food feels like a good place to start. So I've been messing around with a few snacks that are packed with good stuff and are actually tasty enough that everyone will eat them.

Elderberry & Honey Energy Bites

I’ve heard so much about elderberry for years, and I finally decided to just dive in and see what it was all about. These little energy bites are probably the easiest way I've found to get it into our routine. They're sweet, a little chewy, and feel like a real treat.

Here's how I make them:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats

• 1/2 cup almond butter

• 1/4 cup raw honey

• 2 tablespoons elderberry syrup

• 1/4 cup dried cranberries

• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds or walnuts)

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, almond butter, raw honey, and elderberry syrup until well combined.

2. Stir in the dried cranberries and chopped nuts.

3. Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

4. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Honestly, I just keep a batch of these in the fridge for those moments when someone's hungry right now. They're so easy to grab, and it just makes me feel a little better knowing there's something genuinely good in them, not just sugar. The elderberry is kind of the secret weapon here, but the kids just think they taste good.

Citrus and Yogurt Parfait

Okay, this one is super simple, almost not even a recipe. But sometimes the simple things are the best, right? We all know vitamin C is important when you're trying to stay healthy, and citrus is just packed with it. And then you add yogurt, which I've read is great for your gut... and a healthy gut is apparently a big deal for your immune system. Who knew?

This is what I usually throw together:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt

• 1 orange, peeled and segmented

• 1/2 grapefruit, peeled and segmented

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1/4 cup granola

• 1 tablespoon chia seeds

Instructions:

1. In a glass or bowl, layer half of the Greek yogurt.

2. Add a layer of orange and grapefruit segments.

3. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with granola and chia seeds.

4. Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients.

This is my go-to for an afternoon slump. It feels so fresh and light, and it’s a nice change from all the heavy, warm foods we tend to eat when it's cold out. Just a little boost of sunshine in a cup, I guess.

Garlic and Herb Roasted Almonds

My grandma always used to say to eat garlic when you feel a cold coming on. I always thought it was just an old wives' tale, but I was reading about it and apparently, there's this stuff in garlic called allicin that really does have some power. So, I figured, why not try to make a snack out of it? Something savory for a change.

Here’s the recipe I landed on:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups raw almonds

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In a large bowl, toss the almonds with olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, and sea salt until evenly coated.

3. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet in a single layer.

4. Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the almonds are golden brown.

5. Allow to cool before serving.

I have to warn you, your house is going to smell amazing when you make these. They're so good. It’s nice to have something salty and crunchy to reach for that isn't, you know, a bag of chips. Plus, I get to feel a little smug about the garlic power.

So yeah, these are a few things I've been making lately. It's not like these snacks are a magic shield or anything, but it feels good to be proactive. Just doing these small things, like choosing a snack that has some goodness in it, makes me feel like I’m taking care of my family, and myself, in a real way. It all adds up, I think. Just one little bite at a time.