Fall Foods to Fight Cold and Flu

Happy Fall Y’all! Fall fever seemed to start early this year with pumpkin spice this and pumpkin spice that all over the place, before we even hit the first official day of fall. Now that it’s October, I’m all in.

Along with all of the fun activities that this time of year brings, there is also a downside, more sniffles and sneezes. With the declining temperatures, comes a rise in the incidence of colds, flu, allergies, and other weather related symptoms and conditions.

So what can we do to fend for our families, ourselves and keep those dreaded issues out of our homes? Incorporating some specific foods in our diets this time of year can assist in the battle and the great news…they are fall friendly foods you may be craving anyway!

Soup: We’ve all heard of the old chicken soup for a cold remedy and there just may be something to it. One theory is that hot soup raises the temperature in the nose and throat, which creates an unwelcoming environment for viruses that thrive in cool and dry places.

Pumpkin seeds: Packed with vitamins, amino acids and minerals, including zinc. Zinc helps the immune system by acting as an antioxidant and minimizing damage to cell membranes from free radicals.

Blueberries: Contain very high concentrations of antioxidants to help fight off flu viruses, in fact, they have been found to have more antioxidants than 40 other fruits and vegetables.

Garlic: Raw garlic has compounds called allion and allicin, which have direct antiviral effects. If you can’t bear the thought, let alone the taste of raw garlic, throw it in your soup or another cooked dish. Cooked garlic has sulfur-containing compounds, which have anti-microbial activity.

Ginger: Can alleviate cold symptoms and clear nasal passages.  For the most potent version, try steeping slices of fresh ginger in hot water for a soothing drink.

Spices: Turmeric, cloves and cinnamon are packed with antioxidants, which help improve the function of the immune system.

Eggs: Egg yolks are a good source of selenium, a powerful mineral that supports a healthy immune system.

Fall is prime time for colds. There are over a billion colds in the U.S every year, according to the National Institutes of Health. Enjoying some of the foods listed above can help you kick a cold or stave it off in the first place all while allowing you to indulge in your desire for all things fall!

Do you have any home remedies or tips that work for you? Please share.