Sniffle and Slurp

The CDC has claimed this flu season as one of the worst in recent decades. The CDC also states that, from December 3 to January 12, more than 5,643 were recorded form the flu and pneumonia (most commonly caused by the flu).

While the most obvious thing to help prevent becoming infected this year is to get a flu vaccine (if you haven't already that is), eating right to prevent, or eating to heal, are also great ways to give your body what it needs to fend those flu foes.

Chicken soup has always been the advertised go-to meal for anyone afflicted with a cold of any type, and whether Campbell's coined the phrase, or it just came out of a wise mother's mouth, Chicken Soup really is good for the soul and heart! Trade your chicken for turkey, keeping the rest of the traditional ingredients, and you will really have a soup with saving power (better on the fat end while still giving you plenty of protein power). One of my favorites is Dr. Oz's family Chicken Noodle Soup recipe, which you can find here.

(Not quite as brothy, but equally as delicious and nutritious, check out this recipe off of Deer Valley's Turkey Chili from The Reluctant Gourmet!)

Aside from Chicken Noodle Soup, WebMD has some other things they recommend you do to help prevent the flu from attacking you (or to help you get over it):

• Try for 50g of protein a day - not only is it a necessary element of any diet, protein also gives you a boost with vitamins B6 and B12 (really good for women)
• Find ways to put Selenium and Zinc in your diet, which helps promote a stronger immune system. These can be found in things such as beans, nuts, red meats and poultry
• Get your greens! Glutathione, a major power booster in nutrition, can be found in foods such as kale, collard greens, broccoli and cabbage. Green is always a go for a healthy body
• Eat a variety of foods! Just like exercise, your body needs different foods to store all of the different nutrients it needs. Mix it up, match it up - do whatever you need to do to eat something new!
• Real food wins! When it comes to choosing between supplements and fruits and veggies, the latter come out on top every time. While getting that multi vitamin in daily or adding in that fish oil and Ecenesia can help keep your immune system strong, WebMD prefers that you focus on getting your daily servings of fruits and veggies in first before you worry too much about pounding the pills
• Don't concentrate on concentrate - Orange Juice is an obvious one with its high vitamin C (another good cold remedy), and Orange Juice with lots of pulp is even better. Instead of going for store bought, I suggest you take the time to smash and squeeze out the real stuff at home. The taste is out-of-this-world better!

Read more about what to eat during flu season with WebMD

One favorite thing I discovered while perusing WebMD's site was the encouragement of popsicles when you are sick. Now of course I am not talking about creamies, but more the whole fruit popsicles (Breyers® Pomegranate Popsicles are my personal favorite with or without a cold). Other foods they suggest are: turkey sandwiches, vegetable juice, chicken soup (just thought I'd mention it again, really get the point across), garlic, ginger, hot tea (any type will help), bananas, toast (great for an upset tummy), and meal replacement drinks (if you haven't been able to eat much, these are good to at least make sure you are getting the nutrients you need). 

Getting sick is never fun. I've already been sick twice this year (which never happens) at with both of my jobs, there never seems to be a day that somebody is not sick, sniffling or coughing constantly. Living in a mountain town, the cold just makes being sick that much more miserable. One thing that makes me feel much better and keeps me warm and happy (and very healthy) is this fantastic soup I found on an equally fantastic blog called Two Peas and Their Pod. Her roasted tomato basil soup is so good, I really think I could eat it every day. I try to make a batch every other week so I don't have to go too long without it. Check out the recipe on her blog, or go to my quick bits and find it there. 

Keep the kleenex close and the flu at bay this year and be sure to keep your life and plate colorful and nutritious! And if you still haven't gotten that flu shot, call your doctor and see if they have any left - it's a small pinch that really might be worth your life this year.