Cough...check! Sneezing...check! Runny nose and sleepiness...check and check! It is official, our little Kash, also known on Instagram as the #fruitbandit, has a cold. I took him to our nurse practitioner and she confirmed my suspicions, so now we are on a mission to mend and heal so that he can get back to the business of living life and having fun.
Obviously, I am not going to whip up batches of my immune boosting juice shots for him because they are also known as "The Face Melter" and would be way too intense for his little palette. So instead I have researched fruits and veggies that are helpful when dealing with the common cold and developed this recipe for a seriously tasty cold busting orange juice. This juice is packed with pineapple, carrots, ginger, and of course oranges. He absolutely LOVES it and is happy to take his juicy medicine whenever I ask him to drink a cup.
Every component of this juice is in there for a reason and serves a purpose to help heal my little guy from the inside out and to ease his symptoms along the way. In case you are curious, here are a few reasons why I chose these ingredients:
Pineapples are an amazing fruit! Did you know that pineapples and mangoes are the only 2 fruits on the planet to contain Bromelain? Bromelain is effective in reducing the body aches and pains you may have with the common cold. It also is an anti-inflammatory which can help soothe and heal a sore throat and swollen glands. Pineapple juice naturally helps to thin mucus and congestion so your body can expel it easier and the bromelain helps calm annoying coughs as well.
I am sure everyone knows that carrots are a great source of beta carotene, but did you know that besides helping to maintain good eyesight carrots can actually help you maintain a healthy immune system too?
Ginger is one of natures' antiviral herbs; it contains nearly a dozen antiviral compounds. Ginger is a natural pain reliever, antiseptic and antioxidant. It is great for preventing and treating colds, sore throats and inflammation of the mucus membranes. Ginger also reduces pain and fever and has a mild sedative effect that will encourage rest.
Obviously oranges are loaded with Vitamin C, which is vital for the proper function of a healthy immune system, and is good for preventing colds. Studies also show that oranges may be helpful in preventing recurrent ear infections.
What types of fruits and veggies do you juice to stay well?
Cold Busting Orange Juice (Gluten Free and Vegan)
- Yield: Makes enough for 3-4 glasses
Ingredients
- 4 large Navel oranges, peeled and pith removed
- 3 large carrots, washed well
- 1 pineapple, peeled and core removed
- 2 quarter size rounds of ginger, unpeeled
Instructions
- Feed all of the ingredients through your juicer, transfer to a large glass jar for storing and shake well to combine before serving.
Anna says
Vitamin A from carrots, vitamin C from oranges. These foods keep us young... https://lazyplant.com/health/collagen-foods/ Also, ginger gave a unique flavor. Loved it...
thismess says
So glad you enjoyed this juice!
Ricky says
Is it one whole pineapple
thismess says
Yes, we like to make 3-4 large glasses of this juice at a time.
Brooke Shea says
I wish I had all this stuff at the house. I'm in desperate need of groceries and have 2 toddlers with colds....oh and me too! Sounds so good!
Meg says
Oh no Brooke!!! I wish you had it too:( If you lived closer I would bring you some juice!I hope that you and your babies get better soon.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
That sounds so good, I'm going to make a glass tomorrow morning. I hope your little guy is better soon!
Meg says
Thank you so much Sylvie, he is on the mend. Hope you enjoyed the juice:)
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
Aw, I hope your little one feels better soon! I know this juice would make me feel better! 🙂
I had no idea that pineapple juice (and mangoes) contain Bromelain, or what Bromelain even was for that matter. So interesting, thanks for sharing! I'll definitely have to give this combo a try sometime.
Meg says
Thanks Sarah! I had no clue either until I started researching the different fruits and veggies that help with colds. Totally blew my mind!