What foods or recipes are the best for combating the flu?

What foods or recipes are the best for combating the flu?
Both my partner and I can't afford to take time off work with the flu. What kinds of foods can I prepare to help combat the flu and keep our immune systems strong? I would love to hear your recipes or old remedies.

Posted by Nesha
All of us ever suffered from flu and cold. But, how well protected are you against the common cold and flu? Even if you've had a flu jab, you need to wash your hands religiously and take vitamin C for extra insurance. You may even want to try the herb echinacea when you first start feeling grotty. Remember also that what you eat may help prevent or treat these common illnesses. Try the tasty ideas below, and you just may avoid getting sick this season. Chicken soup
It's been called nature's penicillin and is at the top of the list for its curative powers. Hot chicken soup helps clear clogged airways, and the nourishing broth will give you more energy. Add plenty of vegetables, including onion and garlic, for extra healing power.. Hot and spicy food
Some people swear by garlic, horseradish, chillis or spicy sauces to help ease congestion. Cook Indian or other ethnic foods that contain these ingredients, or simply add a spicy sauce to foods.

3. Garlic
This fragrant bulb contains a flavoring agent called alliin which acts as a decongestant. Garlic is also believed to act as an antioxidant and destroy free-radicals, the active oxygen molecules that damage cells, so add garlic liberally to your favourite foods.

4. Fluids
Stay hydrated with plenty of liquids. Instead of coffee, fizzy or sweetened drinks, have plenty of water and pure fruit juices. Hot beverages work better for some people, so consider chamomile or peppermint herbal tea, or sip on hot water with a slice of lemon.

5. Citrus fruits
Reach for citrus fruits to increase your vitamin C intake. Drink orange juice for breakfast, snack on half a grapefruit, or add tangerine slices to a lunchtime salad. Getting an increased amount of vitamin C is especially important if you smoke, as smoking increases both your risk of catching a cold and your body's need for this protective vitamin.

6. Vitamin C sources
Citrus fruits aren't the only foods high in vitamin C. Potatoes, green peppers, strawberries and pineapple can help as your daily cold-fighting food arsenal.

7. Ginger
Many people find fresh ginger root helps treat the coughing and fever that often accompany colds and flu. Try making a ginger tea: Pour a cup of boiling water over 2 tablespoons of freshly grated ginger and let it steep for 5 to 10 minutes.

Remember
A daily routine of high-fat, high-sugar junk foods, skipped meals and lots of caffeine can make you more susceptible to minor illnesses like colds and flu. Instead, make sure you eat plenty of whole grains, fruit, vegetables and low-fat protein to keep your immune system strong. Think of nutritious foods as part of your cold-and-flu armour, and you'll be ready to do battle whenever illness strikes.

Posted by Cassiee
Flush It Away With Water

Your body usually works overtime when it spots unwanted organisms, such as the flu virus. As a result of your immune system's hyperactivity, a lot of your bodily fluids are lost or used up. Thus, one way to help your body fight off the disease is by drinking plenty of water, more than the eight glasses that are needed to maintain normal bodily functions. Actually, some medical experts believe that you should drink water equivalent to about 66% of your body weight in ounces. For example, if your weight is 150 lbs, you need to drink a total of 100 ounces of water everyday until your flu goes away.

Steam Your Way To Perfect Health

When you have flu, you need to make sure that all the mucus in your upper respiratory system is expelled because it is the carrier of the disease-causing virus. If the mucus hardens and stays lodged inside your sinuses or travels down south to your lungs, your flu might lead to pneumonia.

Steaming is an effective way to eliminate the nasty mucus lurking in your nasal cavities, sinuses and even lungs as it keeps mucus moist, making the mucus easier to expectorate. It is really advisable that you keep a humidifier or steamer turned on at all times in your bedroom while you have flu. Some people add drops of eucalyptus, rose geranium or thyme essential oils for more moistening power.

Eat Your Blues Away

People who are sick should not go on a diet or skip meals. Your body needs all the help it can get in order to combat the infection. Thus, you need to make sure that you eat a healthy and vitamin-rich diet.

People say that chicken soup served by mothers when their child is sick is really effective in strengthening the immune system because it contains most of the vitamins and nutrients that are needed to fight colds and flu. Adding fruits and vegetables to your daily fare can also increase your chances of getting better quickly because they contain antioxidants and minerals that are needed to fortify your immune system. Adding several cloves of garlic and strips of ginger to your meals could also help in killing the virus.

Take Natural Supplements

When you are sick, it is advisable that you take supplements of Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin E, Echinacea, and other nutrients that are known to help restore energy and prevent further exacerbation of the infection.

What do you think? Answer below! Cold and Flu Basics - Cold and Flu Center - Gocoldflu.info
How to recognize the symptoms of cold and flu, which treatments work best, and advice on staying healthy during cold and flu season

---

Orignal From: What foods or recipes are the best for combating the flu?