While washing your hands often and scheduling your annual flu shot may contribute to preventing flu episodes, in the end it’s your diet that makes or breaks the day. You are what you eat and the easiest way to avoid meds is to rev up your diet and include the foods that ward off the flu for good.
Whether you want to prevent colds and fever or recover faster from a flu bout/episode, your best shot is to boost your immunity with the rights foods. Here’s what you should be stacking on your plate to fight off flu:
- Kiwi
You may feel like reaching for your OJ glass every time you get a stuffy nose, but according to the experts whole fruit has improved vitamin C absorbtion. One cup of chopped oranges will give you 160% of the daily vitamin C requirement, while the same amount of kiwi will fulfill a whopping 263%!
- Pumpkin seeds
It’s essential to keep your zinc levels constant throughout the year to prevent infections and colds. And pumpkin seeds are just about the fastest way to enrich your diet with this mineral. Have a crunchy snack with roasted pumpkin seeds and sea salt instead of fried chips when you need to kick the flu away.
- Sweet potatoes
While not on the traditional flu-fighting remedies list, sweet potatoes are an important source of vitamin A, which protects your skin, the first line of defense against bacterial infections. They can also be a guilt-free indulging treat if you are trying to shed some pounds off.
- Wild salmon
Respiratory infections and viruses can quickly deplete your body’s vitamin D stores. The tasty way to fend off colds is to enjoy baked salmon with a dash of olive oil and lemon slices, topped off with your favorite veggies. Your nose will surely thank you!
- Chicken soup
The ageless elixir against flu! Your mom surely told you about it countless times. And guess what! It works like a charm! The broth will quickly soothe your sore throat, release the mucus build-up and it releases cysteine, the amino acid proven to be effective against bronchitis. Believe in soup!
