Flu Diet: Foods to Eat When You Have the Flu

Healthy eating is a great way to boost your immune system. When you’re ill, it’s important to nourish your body and stay hydrated even if food is often the last thing on your mind. Certain healthy foods are high in vitamins and other nutrients that help support your immune system, keeping your health or helping you ease some of your symptoms.

So we decided to give you a list of food to add to your healthy eating regimen. Take a look at some of the best foods to eat when you’re feeling the flu begin to creep in.

Yoghurt

Yoghurt has a smooth, creamy texture that is very soothing when you have a sore throat. Not only that, but it contains live cultures and probiotics that have immunity-boosting properties. If you’re feeling weak, then the protein that is found in yoghurt helps your body build up strength.

Chicken soup

Chicken soup is the best of both worlds. It combines the benefits of bone broth along with additional healthy ingredients. Chicken gives your body iron and protein, while healthy ingredients like carrots, herbs, and celery give you added nutrients. Liquid broth soups speed up the movement of mucous in your nose. The hot fluid causes your blood vessels to dilate which increases blood flow in your sinuses, allowing mucous to be flushed out and alleviating congestion. You can eat chicken soup throughout the duration of your flu, it’s a delicious way to keep you hydrated.

Red Bell Peppers

A medium red bell pepper contains nearly double your daily value of vitamin C. Vitamin C behaves like an antioxidant and supports the production of infection-fighting white blood cells. So consuming red bell peppers can ward off illness or reduce your chances of experiencing harsh flu-like symptoms. Try eating them fresh as they will provide the most nutritional benefit.

Foods High In Vitamin C

Many fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C are also excellent food sources that can provide a wide range of health benefits like reducing the risk of upper respiratory tract infections and supporting the immune system. Some food with the highest levels of vitamin C includes:

• oranges
• grapefruit
• kiwifruit
• lemons
• berries and
• grapes.

Leafy greens

Leafy greens have plenty of fibre, vitamin C, iron and folic acid. These vegetables are great for your digestion and provide key nutrients that play an important role in supporting the immune system. Leafy green vegetables also have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and as a result can help the body heal from the flu. Add them to your favourite soup or stew recipes or eat them as a side dish.

Ginger

Ginger is one of the best foods for a cold. It contains a chemical called sesquiterpenes, which specifically targets the cold virus. It also acts as a cough suppresser and anti-inflammatory. Add a couple of tablespoons of shredded ginger in your green tea or you can use ginger tea or ginger chews. A good diet is essential. When you eat healthy food, you give your immune cells the power to go out and fight viruses and infections. Good nutrition can be one of the biggest influences in boosting immunity. A healthy diet filled with nutrients like protein, healthy fat and vitamins can significantly increase the ability of the immune system to fight infections. So visit your nearest grocery store and stock up on these foods to protect you and your family