I know what you’re thinking… I get the Vitamin C post and I get the garlic post but what the hell is Selenium?
Well stay with me, because Selenium is the dogs danglies of immune system boosters. I’ve actually seen it be called ‘The World’s Healthiest Food’
It has loads of health benefits from helping your thyroid gland work properly, to stopping joint pain and making your hair healthier, but as this post is all about the immune system, let’s focus on that.
Selenium helps your white blood cells produce Cytokines, this is a protein that actually helps clear viruses out of the body. So if all that extra garlic and vitamin c didn’t ward off the flu then eating food packed with Selenium will absolutely help you go to get rid of it.
The two biggest sources of Selenium are Brazil Nuts and Shellfish – which also makes it a food allergy nightmare. Here are some ideas to help get you started…
- Carry It Like Harry’s Steamed Raw Oysters are full of Selenium, just two oysters will pretty much give you your daily recommended dose.
- 100g of chicken is about half of your Selenium for the day, so this Lime and Lemongrass Coconut Chicken Soup from Dans L’Assiette Des Autres is a good place to start.
- Beef is another good source and this Coriander Beef Stew from Bombay Bruxelles sounds divine
- If you’re not in the mood to cook then Why I Am Not Skinny has you covered, Mushrooms (especially Shitake and Portabella) are full of Selenium and she knows a restaurant in Brussels that serves nothing but mushrooms!
- Lastly with 50g of tuna giving 75% of your daily selenium, my very own Tuna and Broccoli Pasta will see you right.
If any of these dishes help with your colds, let us know!
Michelle of Very Hungry Explorer is originally from London. She now splits her time between Brussels and the rest of the Europe. She started blogging in 2009 while on a trip to Alaska, so she could stay in touch with her Mum and it all just went from there. When she isn’t eating, Michelle is studying to TEFL and frequently plays her music above the recommended volume level. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.