What to Eat When You Have the Flu
By Sara Butler
Flu season is here. While it's best to avoid it, if it strikes, then you have to do what you can to help your body through it. When you have the flu, the last thing you want to do is eat but if you can incorporate foods that are nutrient-dense into your diet, then you may be able to help ease some of symptoms and help you get well. When you have the flu, or even just a nasty cold, here are a few of the foods to make sure you eat.
Salmon
Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are anti-inflammatory. If you can get enough of them, then you can help fight back against inflammation that may be contributing to you feeling icky. You don't have to eat it at every meal, but salmon at least once or twice during the week can do your healing body good.
Strawberries
It may be oranges that get all the glory of being full of Vitamin C, but strawberries are no slouch. One cup of strawberries provides you with about 99 percent of your body's daily Vitamin C needs. Winter may not be their season, but you can easily find frozen strawberries to add to a throat-soothing smoothie to help you get well.
Red Bell Peppers
Speaking of Vitamin C, red bell peppers are a great source too. In fact, a medium pepper provides you with half of the Vitamin C your body needs -- and that Vitamin C can help support the production of the white blood cells your body needs to fight infection.
Walnuts
Walnuts contain the previously mentioned omega-3 fatty acids, but they also contain Vitamin B6 and Vitamin E, both vitamins that help to keep your immune system functioning at its best and help you to recover from a nasty case of the flu or a cold.
Hot Tea
A steaming cup of hot tea is great for a scratchy, irritated throat, but it's also good for congestion. Especially if you choose teas that have ginger, cloves, cardamom, or cinnamon in them, it'll help loosen up congestion and help you get on the road to recovery -- or at least help you feel better.
When you're feeling lousy, eating right can help you to feel better. Talk to your chiropractor about your diet when you're trying to recover from a cold or the flu.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Northbrook, Ill.