A Healthy Appetite:Foods to Help Keep You Happy and Health This Flu Season

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By Rachel Derry
Staff Writer LIFamilies

You already know the old saying that “you are what you eat,” but that saying may help you stay clean and clear during flu season this year. When it comes to flu/cold prevention, most of us already know the golden rules to keeping healthy:

-Wash your hands constantly, and if you aren’t near a sink use sanitizer.
-Get plenty of sleep to keep your immune-system pumping.
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
-And, of course, always cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze and cough.
A newer recommendation, though, is to make sure to eat plenty of immune-boosting foods to aid your body in its fight against germs.

The first food to make sure to get plenty of is eggs. Eggs have the highest-quality protein of any food and contain the compound choline. Together they keep invaders from getting into your body in the first place. It is suggested that you consume one egg for breakfast a couple times a week.

Yogurt, especially Greek yogurt, is another super-food. Yogurt has active cultures, or probiotics, which eat undesirable bacterial and pathogens in your digestive tract. This keeps their population down, and stops them from taking over. 8 ounces of yogurt daily is suggested.

Onions and garlic contain health promoting flavonoid antioxidants. They have anti-inflammatory effects that fight infection and bacteria. Experts suggest trying to consume as much as ½ cup daily.

Oily fish is also suggested to help boost your immune system. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish such as tuna, salmon and trout, and help reduce inflammation, increase airflow, and increase the activity of white blood cells. It is suggested to consume fish twice a week.

Beans and mushrooms are also both considered super-foods, too. They both increase the population and aggressiveness of white blood cells fighting infection. Mushrooms should be lightly steamed or completely cooked, not raw. Beans should be consumed ½ cup twice a week.

As usual, try to also pack in as many fruits and vegetable into your daily diet as possible. The vitamins and antioxidants that are contained naturally within them help to keep your system charged and ready to face cold and flu season.

Long Island Health, Fitness & Beauty Articles > A Healthy Appetite:Foods to Help Keep You Happy and Health This Flu Season