If you manage or own a restaurant, it’s time to update your menu with some immune-boosting ingredients. Today more than ever, diners are interested in their physical health and will pay top dollar for foods and beverages that help fight infection and strengthen their resistance to disease. Once these items are integrated into your menu, diners may not even realize the enormous benefits they will be getting from dining out in your restaurant.
There are scores of foods known to help reduce inflammation, prevent pathogens, stimulate antibody formation, and neutralize free radicals by working as an antioxidant.
Likewise, many vitamins, minerals, spices, and herbs have been used throughout the ages to improve the health of the respiratory system, heart, and intestines.
Here’s the good news if you work in foodservice: Immune-boosting foods are easy to add to any restaurant menu. For example, berries are rich in the antioxidant anthocyanin and can be tossed into salads, sauces, and desserts. The popular spice turmeric gets its distinctive color from curcumin, a strong anti-inflammatory, and is perfect for adding flavor to curries, soups, stews, and more. Playing a vital role in the production of white blood cells that ward off infection, a squeeze of Vitamin C from any citrus fruit will strengthen your customers’ health, while red bell peppers boast three times the amount of Vitamin C as a Florida orange!
The Link Between Nutrition, the Immune System & Fighting Illness
Not enough can be written about the role of nutrition and a person’s health and well-being. A clear link between adequate nutrition and the well-being of the body has been studied and advanced.
The human immune system relies on a steady supply of nutrients for optimal performance, hence eating a nutritious diet is one of the best ways to remain healthy. Conversely, according to nutritional scientists, vitamin and nutrient deficiencies can increase one’s susceptibility to disease and infection.
While studies show that our immune systems are complex and comprised of more factors that just diet, experts do agree that a balanced diet consisting of a range of vitamins and minerals, combined with other factors such as adequate sleep and little stress, is the most effective combination of factors required to boost ones immune system.
The Role of Nutrition in Your Foodservice
With the goal of driving traffic towards your foodservice, let’s explore the foods and beverages that your restaurant menu can provide to enhance their health and wellb
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- Foods Rich in Vitamin A: Also known as Beta Carotene, Vitamin A plays an important role in increasing resistance to toxins and in the health of the respiratory system and intestines. Vitamin A-rich foods include carrots, kale, sweet potato, pumpkin, squash, broccoli, spinach, apricots, and cantaloupe.
- Foods Rich in Vitamin C: To help increase antibodies in the blood, you can provide a healthy serving of Vitamin C by offering the gamut of citrus fruits and juices, strawberries, kiwi, brussels sprouts, cooked cauliflower and cabbage, and red and green peppers.
- Foods Rich in Vitamin D: According to Vitamin D expert Dr. Michael Holick from Boston University, “Vitamin D regulates the production of a protein that selectively kills infectious agents, including bacteria and viruses.” Recommended sources of vitamin D include fatty fish (i.e. salmon and sardines), eggs, cheese, tofu, mushrooms, and fortified milk.
- Foods Rich in Vitamin E: Said to promote the neutralization of free radicals that can cause disease, foods brimming with Vitamin E include nuts, seeds, avocado, and vegetable oils.
- Foods Rich in Zinc: Here’s a little-known fact for chefs and restaurant owners: Did you know that zinc is an essential micronutrient for the normal development and functioning of cells? Moreover, according to nutritionists, there are many zinc-dependent enzymes in our body and zinc deficiency is associated with immune dysfunctions. Recommended zinc-containing foods to add to your recipes include seafood, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
- Foods Rich in Protein: Containing amino acids which protect the body against pathogens, make sure your restaurant menu offers an array of proteins from both animal and plant sources. In addition to meat and poultry, examples of high-protein foods include fish, milk, yogurt, eggs, cottage cheese, beans, lentils, chickpeas, nuts, and seeds.
“Superfoods” to Add to Your Restaurant Recipes
Looking for the healthiest spices, herbs, fruits, and vegetables to put on your customers’ plates? Be sure to include:
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- Broccoli, loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals
- Spinach, a superfood rich in Vitamin C, beta carotene, and disease-fighting antioxidants
- Garlic, whose value in reducing infections has been recognized since the earliest of times
- Ginger, known for its gingerol content that helps decrease inflammation, reduce nausea, and heal sore throats
- Avocado Oil: Along with avocado, avocado oil is full of healthy fats, including oleic acid and essential fatty acids. It can help normalize blood pressure, improve arthritis symptoms, improve skin and promote heart health.
- Sunflower Seeds, Chia Seeds, and Flax Seeds, which all boast vitamins and minerals that help regulate immune system function, as well as Omega-3 fatty acids that nourish cells
Without even being aware of it, your guests can nourish their bodies with these immune-boosting foods while enjoying your gourmet style cooking!
2022 Menu Tips for Chefs
If boosting immunity via nutrition has you wondering where great taste fits in, rest assured that there are myriads of recipes and dishes that are bursting with both flavor and function. If you are a chef wanting to up your game, experiment with some of the following enticing nutrient-packed ideas:
Olive Bruschetta; Thyme-Roasted Almonds; White and Red Bean Dip; Vegetable Stuffed Popovers; Chickpea-Spinach Salad with Yogurt; Ginger Carrot Soup; Roasted Green Beans with Garlic and Lemon; Grilled Salmon with Basil Tomato Sauce; Maple Walnut Cake, and more.
Best Immune-Boosting Beverages to Keep Your Customers Healthy
While water remains the number one choice in hydration, you can cater to the interests of today’s health-conscious consumers by adding a variety of immune-strengthening drinks to your restaurant’s repertoire. Some consumer favorites include:
Apple Cider Vinegar drink, 1-2 tablespoons mixed with water and a sweetener such as honey, aids in removing toxins from the body; Kombucha, a popular probiotic drink that supports gut health, immune function, and is high in antioxidants; Warm Honey Water, boasts a wealth of health benefits that stimulate the immune system; Black Tea, increases the number of virus-fighting cells in the blood due to its amino acid L-theanine content; Green Tea, famous for its abundant antioxidant content; Matcha, the nutrient-dense powdered form of green tea; Smoothies, if you choose the right ingredients, can be brimming with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support immune system health. Be creative and try your chef’s hand at concoctions such as kiwi-watermelon-lime juice, coconut water with bananas or berries, and orange iced tea. Finally, don’t forget to add classic Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice to your restaurant’s offerings, as a mere cup of orange juice contains 207% of the daily recommended intake for Vitamin C.
Healthy Desserts to Add to Your Restaurant’s Menu
Finally, if you thought the buck stops here when it comes to aiding your customers’ immune systems, think again. There are scores of delectable desserts that are nutrient dense and healthy to boot. Consider catering to your customers’ sweet tooth with mouth-watering cheesecakes, pumpkin pies, raspberry bran muffins, blueberry pancakes, apple tarts, strawberry truffles and parfaits, coconut mousse, lemon lime squares, and more.
Once you make immune-boosting foods an integral part of your menu, your guests will be allured by the benefits of dining out in your restaurant!