(BPT) - With never-ending holiday gatherings, travel, Sunday football tailgates and early morning snow-shoveling, everyone’s looking to stay strong and healthy this winter season. Along with colder temperatures, winter also brings a host of preventable sicknesses. In fact, the CDC estimates that there were over 49.7 million cases of the flu in the United States between 2017 and 2018, with a major spike occurring from November through February.
With cold and flu season in full effect, you should get a flu shot if you can safely do so. Beyond that, you can help keep your immune system strong by making simple tweaks to your daily routine, like adding Welch’s 100% Grape Juice to meet your daily vitamin C needs.
Check out these four simple things to keep you feeling strong and healthy this flu season:
1. Get your zzz’s
Did you know that most healthy adults need between 7-9 hours of sleep? More than ever, be sure to get enough sleep and establish a morning routine so your body can acclimate and regenerate this winter. With colder temps and less daylight, it becomes more difficult to get up and going, so begin your morning with an upbeat playlist or mindful meditation to start the day off energized.
2. Add tough antioxidants
Kicking your day off on the right foot should also mean starting with a glass of Welch’s 100% Grape Juice. Packed with antioxidants, it's a great source of vitamin C, which helps support a healthy immune system. One 8-ounce glass contains more than 40 Concord grapes and one servings of fruit, without any added sugars, colors or flavors. Welch's Concord grape juice also contains more antioxidants than acai or blueberry and can serve as that super fuel to help you stay tough this winter.
3. Eat seasonally
Keep your diet healthy and seasonal. Need something to warm you up and keep you feeling good? Seek out foods like soups, stews and stir-fry that incorporate lean meats, dark leafy greens and legumes, all of which are high in iron, which helps increase vitamin C absorption and may help maintain energy.
4. Protect your gut
Did you know nearly 80 percent of your immune system is based in your gut? Ensure your gut stays healthy to help boost your immunity and maximize your vitamin absorption. Opt for probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kombucha and pickled vegetables.
Whether you’re looking to keep your immune system strong or get a head-start on establishing habits for a healthy 2019, look to incorporate these simple hacks — and Welch's 100% Grape Juice — into your daily routine.
