5 Best Flu-Combating Foods

A cold or the flu chooses no time, age and gender. Symptoms like stuffy nose, body pain and chills, both illnesses leave one physically down and all exhausted.

Luckily, there are specific foods an individual can eat to make him feel better when he is experiencing a cold or the flu.

Nevertheless, the key here is to consume these healthy eats all year round. Doing so can both contribute to the avoidance of getting sick, first of all, and allows one to recover faster should he get sick.

Kristen Gradney, a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Pure Nutrition in Louisiana said, it is essential to feed the body and immune system all the time with the right foods to get rid of sickness and enhance the manner of fighting it off.

ALSO READ: Fruits, Vegetables and Whole Grains: Great for Reducing Type 2 Diabetes

Flu-Combating Foods to Have

When we get sick, we tend to lose appetite. More often than not, we look for something to eat that has a strong taste. Specifically, we're searching for foods that are sour or hot.

To make sure you're eating the right kind of food that will help you fight the flu or a cold, here's a list of must-eat foods to combat illnesses:

1. Chicken Soup

This is considered as "sick-day staple", and a lot of parents have tried, tested and proven effective in combating illness for several reasons.

Essentially chicken provides protein, and the vegetables offer a great range of vitamins such as carrots which contain Vitamin A.

Chicken soup is particularly working if garlic is added to it. Garlic, especially, has a "trace of mineral, also known as selenium" which helps the body to get rid of cell impairment. Meanwhile, the broth mixed in the chicken soup makes every flu or cold patient hydrated.

DON'T MISS THIS: It's Not Just for Weight Loss, Here Are 5 Reasons Why You Should Exercise Regularly

2. Vitamin C-rich Citrus Fruits

If you are among the many, who hate taking a dose of vitamin C because, mostly, of the acid content that frequently leads to pain, citrus fruits will help you boost your intake of vitamin C.

For instance, a medium-sized orange contains 70 mg of vitamin C, which nearly meets the suggested 75mg allowance for female adults; 90 mg, on the other hand, is recommended for males.

3. Yogurt 

Yogurt is filled with protein and vitamin D. They offer a person's gut with healthy bacteria, as well. According to health experts, the stomach can help get rid of infections.

4. Tomatoes

A medium-sized tomato has 18.9 mg content of vitamin C. It contains vitamin A and antioxidant too, also known as lycopene, contributing to the protection of heart health.

On top of all typical functions of tomatoes, tomato soup may be an individual needs when one is ill, says a health expert.

Additionally, tomato soup helps an individual boost intake of fluids, making it essential when he is suffering from the flu or a cold.

5. Nuts

If there's one food type that's rich in zinc and vitamin E, it's any kind of nuts. One cup of roasted almonds provides more than 6.5 mg of vitamin E. 

For those who don't feel like eating nuts, you just need to look for the right kind that perfectly suits your taste buds.

IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS: Top Three Drinks to Consider, and One to Avoid When Losing Weight

© MD News Daily.