If you are surrounded with colds and flu, with fevers and running noses; you must be worried that the Flu would get you. Don’t fret; get your hands on these foods to fight that dreadful flu.
The first step in the fighting the flu is by improving your immunity. This can be done eating a healthy diet. Having foods mentioned below in your diet especially boosts your immunity. But remember that “eating them overnight won’t prevent it; it takes 6-8 weeks for the body to build immunity”, says Dietician Dr. Shweta Iyangar.
Omega -3 Fatty Acids: Foods that contain Omega-3 Fatty acids are beneficial in fighting allergies. They act as natural anti- inflammatory chemicals that fight those which cause irritation to the body. Fish are considered to be the best source of Omega-3 foods but there are vegetarian options too. Soybeans, flaxseed- Alsi or Jawas, walnuts or akrod, and canola contain it. The oils from above can provide Omega-3 fatty acids in concentrated form and can be easily included in your daily meals by adding in our cooking.
Other sources of omega-3 Fatty acids are several kinds of seafood and fish; salmon, haddock, herring, trout, mackerel, and sardines.
Garlic: Garlic contains compounds such as allicin—an oily substance, which gives it the characteristic odor and provide its antioxidant properties. Garlic has the ability to clear mucus filled lungs and sinuses. Research shows that using garlic in any form that is in natural form, in cooking, taking garlic supplements helps preventing and reducing the colds.
Green Tea: Green tea leaves contain antioxidants that can help to boost immune function. It is found that subjects taking green tea experienced a fewer percentage of flu bouts and suffered fewer sick leaves. Their immune systems also produced more cells that fought off illness-causing bacteria and viruses
Honey: Honey is a common ingredient in all herbal cures for colds and flu and for the right reason. It is found that honey reduces cough by coating and soothing the throat.
Chicken soup: A traditional cure for colds, Chicken soup not only makes you feel good it really helps to fight the flu. Chicken soup thins the mucus secretions while the broth contains carbohydrates that provide the energy. Adding vegetables to it helps to support the fight with flu.
Spicy Food: Eating or even sniffing hot peppers and spices causes the mucus to thin, clearing the sinuses. This gets rid of the germs in the nasal passage.
Remember to eat only how much you can bear.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C protects the cell, acts as an energy booster and anti-oxidant. Foods that are rich in Vitamin C are strawberries, oranges, lemons etc. Studies show that the effect of Vitamin C in preventing and reducing flu is not conclusive but eating these will definitely help immunity of the body.
Zinc: Zinc is known for its healing power and can help strengthen body’s immune system. Taking this mineral in combination with vitamin C further strengthens both their potency as antioxidants, but remember to eat it naturally than take supplements.
Foods rich in zinc include yogurt, tofu, beans and lentils, yeast, nuts, seeds and wholegrain cereals. Pumpkin seeds provide one of the most concentrated vegetarian food sources of zinc. For non vegetarians-lean beef, oysters, crab, and the dark meat of turkey and chicken are good sources of zinc.
Eating natural balanced food is the only way to improve your immunity. And in case you have got the flu, these foods help in curing it faster…
Homemade flu fighting remedies
Kaadha- Boil Tulsi or Indian Basil leaves, add few pieces of Lemon grass, a small piece of ginger and cloves for few minutes. The liquid looks light brown. Filter and serve with honey.
Chicken soup- Basic chicken soup begins with a broth made by cooking the chicken with savory vegetables (such as onions, carrots, and celery) and herbs. From the basic stock, you can vary your soup by adding your favorite vegetables, pasta or rice.
Hot lemon drink with ginger and honey: Freshly-squeezed lemon juice contains a healthy dose of vitamin C, commonly taken in supplement form to treat colds. Adding fresh grated root ginger helps to relieve nausea, suppress coughs and settle the stomach. Add honey to make it sweet.
