Four Foods to Help You Fight the Flu

An apple a day keeps the doctor away…….What else helps keep that doctor way?

Have you scheduled your annual flu shot? Are you washing your hands diligently throughout the day? Are you consistently using the antibacterial wipes at the grocery store to wipe down your shopping cart handle? What more can you do to protect yourself from the flu this season—or to relieve your symptoms if you do get sick?

I found this list of “Four Foods to Help You Fight the Flu” interesting last week as I was reminded to debate again whether to give the flu vaccine to my four year old daughter. This list of foods is more comforting than a flu shot on my Mommy radar.

1. Yogurt. Probiotics are live microorganisms similar to the “good” microorganisms that live in the gut. They are found in yogurt which we eat on a weekly basis if not several times a week. We opt for Greek Yogurt that is high in protein too since we’re always moving at the speed of lightening. Studies have shown that children who receive these probiotics showed a reduction in the incidence of getting the flu.

2. Green Tea. I’ve known green tea to be linked to raising the speed of your metabolism but helping with fighting the flu!?! Studies are reporting that it helps you improve your immune system. Thus, it may indeed help with a virus like the flu. I might opt for decaffeinated green tea for myself as well as my toddler. This is something we don’t currently drink.

3. Salmon. Getting a daily dose of vitamin D is key for the body. It’s found in fish and you can receive it directly from sunlight. We do an excellent job of soaking up the sun in West TN. However, our fish intake is too, too low! However, I can say that I’ve had fish 3 times this week already. This has been on my to do list of maintaining a healthy image. If salmon and other fish counterparts can protect us from the flu, we’ll continue to add it to our meal planning!

4. Chicken Soup. I think we all have this can of Campbell’s in our pantry’s stockpile. Fluids indeed help your body fight infection and warm chicken soup broth helps thin mucus and may help relieve congestion.

The list was derived from my Cigna health newsletter that arrives in the mail. I find their articles to be informative and the tidbits of information help me revisit my health plan goals!

What foods do you eat daily or weekly to resist the flu and/or other viruses that attack your body?

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Litsa @How to Have it All

Litsa is a stay at home mom to a beautiful little girl. She is a native of Greece and now resides in Tennessee. As a former teacher, Litsa wears many hats that it takes to make a home a functioning home!