Foods to Help You Feel Better!

Have a cold, the flu, or just feeling under the weather? In addition to getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of water, there are foods that may help you to feel better:

Hot Soup:
Soup is a good source of fluid and soothing heat for your throat.  It's saltiness may also help lower the risk of dehyrdration from a fever. Choose clear broths over creamy varieties.  And scientific evidence suggest that chicken soup can help fight infection.

Vitamin C:
Foods rich in vitamin C tend to be healthful,  including strawberries, oranges, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, red peppers, broccoli, and orand and lemon juice.

Lean Protein:
Healthy levels of iron that can be found in chicken, fish, and lean red meat, can help maintain a strong immune system.

Garlic:
Compounds in garlic may help shorten the duration of a cold.  Use fresh or dried garlic in recipes, or consider using a supplement.

Honey:
I am reading more and more about the healing affects of  honey, particularly for reducing coughing and soothing an irritated throat.  Try between a half and 2 teaspoons, especially before you want to sleep.  NOTE: Never give honey to children younger than 1 as it can cause a rare, but potentially fatal illness.

Hot Pepper:
Capsaicin, a natural compound in peppers, can help thin mucus, clear stuffy noses, and flush germs from the body.  Based on your tolerance for spicy foods, add fresh or dried pepper into dishes.

Water:
Staying well hydrated can reduce symptoms such as headache and sore throat.

Green Tea
Antioxidants in tea leaves can boost immune function.  Beware - green tea has caffeine, and may interefere with sleep if you drink too much

Information provided by Alison Johnson in a report for Daily Press in Newport News, VA.