steve1906
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16206
posted
Flu Fighter #1: Red Bell Pepper
Gram for gram, red bell peppers have twice as much immune-enhancing vitamin C as an orange. Vitamin C is an essential weapon in your flu-fighting food arsenal � it can decrease the duration of a cold by 80 percent and the severity of symptoms like sniffles and cough. Eat red bell peppers chopped up in omelets or on sandwiches. Or, for a quick spaghetti sauce, saute chopped red bell peppers, garlic and olive oil until tender. Puree and drizzle over your favorite whole-wheat pasta.
Flu Fighter #2: Yogurt
Yogurt contains probiotics � good bacteria that line our intestines and defend our body against invading germs. Buy plain yogurt to get fewer calories and less added sugar than you do from fruit-flavored versions, and add your own sweetness with a teaspoon of honey (which may also be an immune booster, because it feeds good bacteria in our gut). To make sure your yogurt contains probiotics, look on the container for the National Yogurt Association's "Live and Active Cultures" seal, which means there are at least two types of healthy bacteria and 100 million bacteria per gram.
Flu Fighter #3: Green Tea
Green tea contains an immune-boosting chemical called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). To get the most health benefits from this hot drink, steep tea in boiling water for about 4 minutes. You can change up the flavor by steeping tea with a 1-inch chunk of fresh ginger, fresh mint leaves, a twist of orange peel or a cinnamon stick. Aim to drink 3 cups (24 ounces) or more per day.
Flu Fighter #4: Almonds
Almonds are an excellent source of the disease-fighting antioxidant vitamin E. Aim to have 24 almonds (1 ounce) per day as a snack; use chopped almonds on oatmeal, salads or stir-fries; or try this recipe for sugar-and-spice almonds: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Lay raw (unsalted) almonds on a cookie sheet, spray with cooking spray, and sprinkle with brown sugar and a pinch of cayenne. Bake for 6 minutes, cool and eat!
Flu Fighter #5: Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes' beta carotene content makes them an immune-enhancing food. Beta carotene � the vitamin that gives sweet potatoes their orange pigment � is converted to vitamin A in the body, which research suggests may be particularly helpful in the treatment of respiratory infections. For a quick sweet-potato side dish, grate the potatoes with a cheese grater, into a skillet sprayed with cooking spray (shredded sweet potatoes cook much faster than whole potatoes). Season the potato with salt, pepper and cumin. Cook without stirring for 5 minutes (until brown), and then flip it and cook the other side for an additional 5 minutes.
Flu Fighter #6: Chicken Soup
A research study published in the medical journal Chest found that chicken soup has mild anti-inflammatory properties, which may help prevent colds and flu by decreasing mucus production and throat swelling and irritation (so you might be spared the sniffles or sore throat associated with colds). Make your next batch of soup with similar ingredients to the ones in the recipe from the study: chicken, onion, sweet potato, turnips, parsnips, carrots, celery and parsley.
Flu Fighter #7: Garlic
Sulfur compounds in garlic may make us 2.5 times less likely to get sick this season � these compounds have been shown to kill viruses. Fresh garlic has more immune-boosting potential than cooked, so add a clove of fresh minced garlic at the end of cooking. Try this healthy version of fresh garlic bread: Toast sliced bread and rub with fresh garlic cloves.
Flu Fighter #8: Ginger
Ginger contains gingerol, a natural plant compound that can help fight off infection. Put a 1-inch chunk of the spicy root into a cup of boiling water to make ginger tea, or make fresh ginger vinaigrette to top raw or cooked vegetables. Here's how: Mix 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1 teaspoon grated ginger and 1 teaspoon sugar.
Flu Fighter #9: Oysters
Oysters contain more zinc � a mineral that keeps our immune system strong � than any other food. Eating just three oysters gets you the daily recommendation for zinc. Since oysters may be difficult to include in your diet regularly, the following foods can also help you get your zinc: breakfast cereals fortified with zinc; baked beans; or pumpkin seeds.
Flu Fighter #10: Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts contain selenium, an antioxidant that may help protect us against conditions such as colds, flu and even cancer. But be careful: These nuts are rich in selenium (they have about 10 times more than other foods), but they're also high in calories � 190 calories per 7 nuts. Here's a portion-control tip: Buy the nuts in the shell. Using a nut cracker slows you down, so you'll probably eat fewer nuts. If you're not into nuts, you can get your selenium from tuna, beef or turkey; all are good sources of this mineral. .
-------------------- Everything I say is just my opinion! Posts: 3529 | From Massachusetts Boston Area | Registered: Jul 2008
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Olive Leaf too
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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littlebit27
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24477
posted
I wish I would have been able to see this last week. My two daughters and I got hit with the flu.
I did give them yogurt and chicken soup. Of course the meds the doctor put them on, that Tamiflu (I think) causes stomach issues, so everytime my little one would eat or drink it would just come right back out. Poor baby.
But so far (knock on wood) it looks like we are finally flu free. First time the flu has hit us as a family, my oldest is 7 and first time I've had the flu in almost 20 years.
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