Best foods to combat the flu (2024)

FAQs

Best foods to combat the flu? ›

Simple items, like lean turkey or chicken in a simple sandwich, chicken soup, bananas, toast and non-flavored crackers are good options. Ice pops made from 100% fruit are good as well. Not only for nutrition, but again, to help with fluid balance,” Dr. Hodge says.

Usually, you'll need nothing more than rest and plenty of fluids to treat the flu. But if you have a severe infection or are at higher risk of complications, your healthcare professional may prescribe an antiviral medicine to treat the flu.

Foods that help your immune system

Specific veggies and fruits that reduce inflammation are apples, berries, tomatoes, celery and onions. Add fermented foods. Fermented foods have “good bacteria,” a.k.a. probiotics that help your immune system.

Some foods, such as dairy and greasy foods, may worsen symptoms of the flu. The flu is a collective term that refers to infection with an influenza virus. Eating nourishing food and drinking plenty of fluids can provide essential nutrients and keep the body hydrated, which may help speed recovery from the flu.

TREATING THE FLU

Get plenty of rest. Drink at least 2 liters each day of liquids such as non-diet 7-UP, Sprite, Gatorade, ginger ale, broth, tea with sugar (yes, soda pop is OK with a cold or flu). For runny nose and stuffy nose, try a decongestant like 12-Hour Sudafed (available without a prescription).

But taking vitamin C won't prevent you from getting the flu or a cold — or from getting COVID-19. If you take vitamin C regularly and catch a cold or the flu, your symptoms may not be so bad. But if you take vitamin C when you already have a cold or flu, it won't affect how long you're sick or how sick you get.

Remember, the virus is killed by hot temperatures, so if you do clean your sheets and towels, use the hot temperature setting instead of warm.

Symptoms of a viral infection depend on where you're infected, but some common ones include: Flu-like symptoms: fever, head and body aches, fatigue. Upper respiratory symptoms: sore throat, cough, sneezing. Digestive symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

What to drink to boost the immune system? ›

Although many people take Emergen-C to prevent or shorten a cold, the scientific evidence showing it works is minimal. There's also mixed research about vitamin C's effectiveness in preventing or treating colds in the general population. If you still decide to take Emergen-C, keep it to one serving daily.

This superfood is your secret weapon to help naturally support your immune system, packed with 11 different vitamins and nutrients. Founding Director of Food and Nutrition Australia, Sharon Natoli says, “many of the nutrients found in eggs can help keep our immune system healthy, and help the body fight off germs.

Bananas. Bananas are a great food to eat when you're sick. They're soft and bland but rich in nutrients and fast-acting carbs. The potassium in bananas can also help replenish your electrolyte stores since potassium is one of the key electrolytes your body needs.

Period of Contagiousness

People with flu are most contagious during the first 3 days of their illness. Some otherwise healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick.

Eat regularly

If you cannot manage large meals, have a snack or small meal every 2-3 hours instead. Try foods like cereal, soup, milky pudding, trifle, mousse, stewed fruit and custard, soft cake, milk or yogurt, toast, cheese on crackers, or biscuits and milk. Try to eat the foods that you prefer, little and often.

However, the juice does have anti-inflammatory properties that may help soothe a sore throat. It is also a good source of vitamin C, which can help boost the immune system. Given its nutrient-rich composition, drinking pineapple juice may be helpful in treating other symptoms associated with a cold or the flu.