What's not to love about the fall season? Between the cooler weather, football, and pumpkin spice everything, autumn is just about perfect.

But unfortunately, this wonderful time of the year is also the start of cold and flu season. And while some of the best ways to prevent getting sick are to avoid people who are ill, practice good handwashing practices, and get plenty of sleep, eat nutritious food, and regular exercise can help your body stay healthy, too.

This immunity support smoothie is jam-packed with good-for-you ingredients that can help support your immune system in an absolutely delish way. Using quintessential immune-supporting ingredients like ginger in this recipe makes this concoction a perfect fall-time smoothie. And the 100% orange juice gives this smoothie a boost of vitamin C, the darling of immune-supporting nutrients. Plus, many natural carotenoids found in 100% orange juice can form vitamin A in the body, which is important for immune function. Carotenoids may help reduce inflammation and help support the immune system.

The proteins from milk in this recipe give the smoothie staying power and are a convenient and delicious way to help keep you strong. In fact, research shows regular exercise can help strengthen the immune system. Fueling workouts the right way, like enjoying a smoothie made with proteins from milk, can give your body a healthy balance of essential amino acids to support an active lifestyle.

Pro tip! Use the fast-absorbing whey protein powder after a workout to help you rebuild muscles. Or, choose the slow-absorbing casein protein powder when you're looking for strength to power through your busy day.

All in all, this smoothie is a perfect addition to a fall schedule to help your body stay healthy and satisfied.

This recipe is courtesy of Lauren Manaker MS, RDN, LD, CLEC, a member of our medical expert board. She is also the author of the cookbook The First Time Mom's Pregnancy Cookbook, where this and 74 other nutrient-packed recipes are featured.

Ingredients

1 cup frozen mango chunks
1 banana
1/2 cup 2% milk
1/2 cup ice
1/2 cup 100% orange juice
2 Tbsp whey or casein-based protein powder
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tsp honey
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger