Since I’ve transitioned to veganism, I rarely get sick. I’m not trying to rub it in or be that stereotypical vegan, but it’s true. I get sick generally once a year, and if it lasts more than three days that is really rare. I went through 2011 without getting sick a single day.
Two weeks ago, my luck caught up with me and I came down with a sore throat. I thought it was a 24-hours max bug that I could kill with my arsenal of tricks, but alas, it hit me cold on a weekend, no less.
During the weeks/months when half of your co-workers are sniffling, your kids are around other kids with the flu/nasty bugs and all of the elements combine to weaken our systems, we have to prepare ourselves. I believe that eating a vegan diet filled with fruits, veggies and whole grains is a really solid way to boost your immune system year-round, but sometimes even that isn’t enough. We all eventually get sick, but over the years I’ve tried to green my ways and start taking more natural approaches to cold/flu treatments. Since this is that time of year, I thought I’d share my tips, tricks and products I use when I feel something coming on and when my seasonal illness is already full blown.
Note: I’m not a doctor, nutritionist or dietitian, but I have been vegan for some time and thus am familiar with vegan treatments for common illnesses. Please consult your doctor before starting a new diet, exercise or health regimen, etc.
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Throat Coat Tea with Lemon, echinacea and agave
Once I started feeling sick, I went to Twitter for some advice on what I could do/take to help my sore throat. Fellow Tacoma food blogger Adrienne suggested tea with lemon, and this is one thing I’ve been doing for years, and is also a suggestion we all hear constantly while sick. I’ve recently come around to Throat Coat tea (which is wonderful because it actually does what it says) and the kind that I use actually has lemon and echinacea in it, so there’s no need to add them. I do add agave to mine as it sweetens the tea and soothes the throat more. I got this tea at Marlene’s, but I’m pretty sure you could find it at the co-op, Metro Market and Safeway, too.
Fresh juices
Anytime I start to feel the slightest sign of a bug, I run to a juice bar and grab some liquid immune boost in the form of fresh fruit and veggie juice. If you have a juicer, you’re lucky and this is super convenient! Make sure that the juice you make or buy has lots of greens in it, vitamin C-packed fruits and veggies and some herbs as well. My favorite combination from local Marlene’s includes kale, broccoli, parsley, apple, carrot, lemon and ginger, and it always makes me feel amazing. I’m sure there’s some placebo effect at play, but I know that drinking one of these at the first onset of iffy symptoms has saved me from becoming ill before. Don’t underestimate the powers of fresh juice! In Tacoma, you can also check out Smooth & Juicey for your fix.
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Natural Emergen-C
Though it’s probably not necessary as take a multi-vitamin daily and try and take in more Vitamin C if ill, I like to err on the safe side and take a much higher dose of C while sick, (don’t worry, I don’t OD – you can have 8,000 mg while sick and be fine). I used to use Emergen-C but I thought it might be good to seek out a natural alternative. While combing through Marlene’s (clearly it’s my sick time safe haven), I found Trace Minerals Research Electrolye Stamina Power Paks. They come in a few flavors, and I think that taking one of these a day while sick helps me get back on track sooner.
Fire Cider
We Tacomites are lucky for many reasons, and one of which is the craft cocktail lounge nestled in the Hilltop neighborhood, 1022 South, (check out Northwest Herbivore’s great review of it here). Not only do they make fine alcoholic beverages, they’re also well known for their mocktails and house-made infusions, too. A menu staple of theirs that I was initially afraid to try due to the name is the Fire Cider, which is made of apple cider vinegar, horseradish root, cayenne, garlic, onion and ginger that has all been left to meld for six weeks. Served straight up and hot, the flavors may be much for some, but I actually love it and it truly works wonders for the ill. Over time, it’s become a staple of mine while sick. Next time you’re feeling under the weather and are in the neighborhood, you should give it a try.
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Pho, Chickpea Noodle Soup, or any veggie-filled soup
You knew this one was coming, right? Pho is definitely my favorite go-to warm, brothy soup that I crave when I’m feeling sick, but damn if a big bowl of Chickpea Noodle (recipe is from Veganomicon, but you can find it here) won’t make me feel awesome too. Liquids in any form are great while sick, so even sipping on plain veggie broth – something I’ve been known to do – is excellent when you aren’t feeling up to “regular” foods but still aim to consume some much needed nutrients.
Exercise
Many people believe the stigma that exercise is bad for them when they’re sick or think that it’ll make them feel worse, but I’ve generally found the opposite to be true. I don’t go running to the gym and hit the elliptical while ill, but I usually do try and go out for a walk once a day while sick to get up off my couch/sickbed and get some fresh air and feel human again. If you’re feeling weak this isn’t advisable, but otherwise I think getting your blood moving while fighting the illness is definitely a good thing.
And that’s what I generally do, in addition to drink lots and lots and lots of water. For some more info/suggestions about boosting your winter immune system before getting sick, check out fellow vegan blogger Molly’s tips.
Have you come down with a cold or flu yet this year? What are your tried and true ways of combating seasonal illness?