The flu season is here and everyday there's more stories about people getting sick. Children's hospital here has even limited the age visitors can be to help curb the spread of the flu.
But what do you do if you do get sick?
Here's come great foods and beverages to have and get back to healthy.
1. Electrolyte beverages (Gatorade/Powerade)
“Staying hydrated is the most important thing when you have the flu, especially if you’re running a fever and sweating, or you’re having trouble keeping food down. Making sure you’re drinking water is a must, but adding an electrolyte-replenishing sports drink will help you replenish sodium and potassium plus a flavored beverage may be more appealing than plain water as well.
Don't have a sports drink around, try coconut water.
2. Green tea
Another way to stay hydrated is to sip on hot tea. Especially is you are experiencing upper respiratory symptoms, drinking warm or hot liquids can help open airways. Plus green tea is high in antioxidants. Tip adding a little honey can help soothe sore throats and relieve coughing as well.
3. Chicken noodle soup
Why does chicken noodle soup have the reputation as a go-to cold-and-flu food? Its salty broth can help hydrate and replace lost sodium, the vegetables provide vitamins and minerals. The chicken itself provides protein to help you with getting your strength back.
4. Beans or peas
Vegetarian or just unable to eat meat? You still need to get in your protein. Beans are a great souce of the good stuff. If you can't eat aything may be try a protein drink.
5. Brightly colored fruits and veggies
When you’re sick and your immune system is compromised, to help the fight you need to take in antioxidants. The easiest place to get them is fruits and vegetables. Choose produce with bold colors—like bell peppers, oranges, and berries—to ensure you’re getting the most antioxidant bang for your buck.
6. Orange juice
Orange juice is a good source of vitamin C, which some studies suggest may help lessen the duration of colds and flu. But be careful taking in too much might actually make you feel worse and can cause stomach issues from all the acid.
7. Beef
Ever take Zinc tablets to try and shorten a cold? They taste terrible! A better source for a lot of zinc is beef. Let's not forget about the protein needed to heal. Three ounces of braised beef contains around 7 mg of zinc, about half of the recommended daily value for adults.
8. B.R.A.T. foods
Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Yes when you have the flu with a lot of nausea or upset stomach it's best to stick to simple, bland foods that your stomach can easily tolerate. Plain crackers are also a great choice for that.
9. Ginger
Ginger is said to relieve stomach problems associated with the flu and often can stop nausea. There are plenty of ginger foods and beverages you can try. Aside from the stomach fixing qualities ginger has anti-inflammatory properties.
Try infusing water with fresh ginger. Don’t rely on ginger ale because most of then contain little or no actual ginger and lots of sugar; the carbonation may also bother sore throats and queasy stomachs.
10. Fortified grains
Any flu can really drag you down and leave you feeling weak and without any energy. This is when you can reach to foods nigh in B vitamins. Vitamin B12 is one of the best for energy and is found naturally in eggs, meat, shellfish, and dairy—but if you’re vegetarian or stomach these, you can also get it from fortified grains, like many breads and breakfast cereals which can also be of the bland variety filling your need for BRAT foods.