Feel-good foods ideal for health hit
With immunity-boosting foods and drinks in focus right now, Gordon Knight browsed Adelaide Central Market for some ideas.
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IF COVID-19 wasn’t enough to concern us, we’re about to enter the peak flu period and the chilly winter sniffles season.
So, now is definitely not the time to let our collective guard down.
Eating well is key to good health, so we tapped the collective wisdom of our Central Market traders to see what we could pick up that would give our bodies a timely boost.
From anti-inflammatory and antioxidants to gut health and super foods, the market has seasonal finds that can boost immunity and make us healthier and stronger. Here’s 10 of the best, with some handy tips from stall traders on how to use their ingredients in your home cooking.
Cold pressed immunity shots at Jamu
Jamu’s cold-pressed immunity shots comprise fresh ginger, turmeric, lemon and cayenne pepper. These ingredients are considered in Eastern medicine to help fight bacteria and are said to be anti-viral.
“The ingredients come straight from the earth, source or root, which means you’re getting the fresh elements of the produce rather than it sitting on shelves over time,” says Jamu’s Laura Kerins.
Feta cheese at The Smelly Cheese Shop
This Greek treasure, a brined curd, contains certain proteins that boosts the immune system, as well as numerous probiotics to help maintain a healthy gut and good fats. It’s also rich in Vitamin A, B6 and calcium.
Sauerkraut at House of Health
Sauerkraut contains immune-boosting probiotics and nutrients that are good for gut health. It’s one of the many health-boosting foods Chester Frank, co-owner of House of Health, swears by. “Being an owner of a health food store, you should see the amount of different things I take in the morning,” says Chester. “I make what I’d call a huge concentration of medicinal mushrooms, olive leaf extract and echinacea in a green juice. It’s a natural flu shot in a drink.”
Olive oil at The Olive Tree
Olive oil contains anti-inflammatory properties and a good source of antioxidants that help boost the immune system. Oleocanthal, found in virgin olive oil, is a natural anti-inflammatory agent which is being studied as an inhibitor of chronic disease.
Turmeric at Rommy’s Market Garden
This bright yellow spice contains curcumin, thought to be a natural anti-inflammatory. Curcumin is also being studied as an aid in the fight against arthritis and cognitive decline.
“I cook a lot of Indian and Cambodian dishes such as sour soup, curries and stir-fries, using produce I grow at home,” says Rommy Chea, owner of Rommy’s Market Garden.
“My sour beef soup is packed with herbs and vegies like lemongrass, turmeric, homegrown Thai basil, eggplant and capsicum.”
Cold pressed green juice at Jamu
Vegetable-based green juices are full of nutrients and good for the immune system.
“Using food as medicine gives you the best chance to be your best self,” says Laura Kerins, co-owner of Jamu in the Market. “Your gut health is the centre of the body, so putting good bacteria into your gut boosts your physical health.
“I use a lot of turmeric in my cooking and beverages. I take a daily probiotic and eat what’s in season, as that’s generally what your body needs at that time.
For instance, in winter you need more vitamin C, so I’ll eat more oranges as they’re in season. I also eat a lot of kimchi and krauts.”
Beef bone broth at House of Health
Beef bone broth contains collagen protein, healthy fats and amino acids, which help to boost the immune system. It is also a noted as an anti-inflammatory.
“Bone broth is designed to power you up from the inside. It leeches out all the minerals and vitamins inside the bones of meat, which means you get all the nutrients without your digestive system needing to break it down,” said Chester Frank, co-owner of House of Health.
Chaga (Adaptogenic Medicinal Mushroom) at House of Health
This anti-inflammatory is said to support gut health and practitioners of Chinese medicine consider it a very strong immunity booster. It is claimed mushrooms stimulate your adrenal system and immune system.
“Chaga turns your immune system into a powerhouse,” says Chester Frank.
Astragalus Extract Powder (Adaptogenic Herb) at House of Health
“This is an ancient Chinese root that strengthens and fortifies the immune system,” says Chester Frank, co-owner of House of Health. “It’s a really powerful anti-viral ingredient that you can add to smoothies and juices in the morning,”
Organic Garlic
Packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants, garlic helps to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure, and, because it is linked to reduced cell damage, it is believed to helpful in mitigating against Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
“With five growing boys at home, we like to maintain a balanced healthy diet, with a focus on eating more greens and colourful fruits and veg. And for that extra immunity boost, we incorporate plenty of garlic, ginger and lemon in our cooking,” says Adelaide Central Market stalwart Bill Howison, owner of House of Organics.