With cold and flu season approaching, there's no better time to focus on your health than now. While cold weather is the season for viruses, there are steps you can take to promote your health and prevent illness. What you eat can determine how long your symptoms last and whether you get sick at all. A varied diet plays an important role in your health.
Boost your immunity
During cold and flu season, eating immune-boosting foods — along with good habits like washing your hands and avoiding contact with sick people — can protect you from illness.
Instead of relying on supplements, get your vitamins from food. So what should you eat? Fresh fruits and vegetables contain vitamins and fiber that help your immune system function better. Try sweet potatoes, spinach, and carrots, which are rich in disease-fighting beta-carotene, and beans and tofu provide zinc.
Get well soon!
If you do get sick, you'll recover faster by eating foods that help your body fight off illness and infection. For example, try probiotic-rich yogurt—the "good" bacteria can help shorten the duration of the flu. Dark leafy greens, citrus fruits, and red and green peppers are rich in vitamins, especially vitamin C. Spice up your food with garlic, which can reduce the severity of cold and flu symptoms, and ginger and turmeric, which fight inflammation and nasal congestion. Also, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated (warm water with lemon and honey can soothe a sore throat).
Tasty tip: Mix fresh orange or grapefruit juice with spinach, ginger, turmeric, and honey for an immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory treat.
https://www.adventisthealth.org/blog/2023/february/food-as-medicine-eat-your-way-to-winter-wellness/
