Why Everyone Gets Sick After Halloween (and What to Do About It)

Let’s talk about the real reason so many people start feeling run down right after Halloween. It’s not just "flu season"... it’s sugar season— and your immune system knows it. From Halloween candy to Thanksgiving pies to holiday cookie platters, it’s a full-on sugar sprint for the next 8 weeks. And all that sugar? It slows down your immune cells for hours after you eat it. When you stack that with less sunlight, low vitamin D, more stress, and not enough rest — it’s the perfect storm for getting sick.

At New Leaf Table, we flip that script. We fuel up with immune-loving, whole-food recipes that help your body stay strong — like our:

Roasted Poblano Soup – smoky roasted poblanos + veggies + bone broth. Creamy, warming, nutrient‑dense. newleaftable.com
Chicken Noodle Soup (our version) – bone‑in chicken thighs, veggie base, turmeric + shirataki noodles. Immune comfort food. newleaftable.com
New Leaf Table Chili – yes, a chili in the list! Hearty beef, beans, bone broth, lots of warming spices for immune and gut support. newleaftable.com

You don’t need to wait to feel better. At New Leaf Table, we build our recipes and weekly plans to boost your resilience, not drain you. Instead of focusing on all the things you shouldn’t do, we focus on food, routines, and flavor that help your body thrive.

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It’s not about being perfect — it’s about staying balanced. A little candy won’t take you down, but a lot, stacked on top of stress and no sleep? That’s when things spiral.

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So here’s your Chef E tip of the week:

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💛 Keep meals nutrient-dense

💧 Hydrate well

☀️ Get outside for real sunshine

🛏 Prioritize sleep (your immune system resets while you rest!)

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Let’s make this season strong, nourished, and full of food that actually supports your body — not slows it down.

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You’ve got this,

– Chef E