Getting your flu shot isn’t the only way you can help prevent the flu. What you eat can also help lower your odds of coming down with a nasty bug, says Rachel Berman, R.D., health content manager for About.com. Check out her favorite flu-preventing foods:
Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are full of zinc, which helps white blood cells fight off illness. Try these Sweet and Spicy Pepita Clusters to get your fix.
Sweet and Spicy Pepita Clusters –
Tuna
This fish is an excellent source of selenium, which helps protect cells from free-radical damage and boosts your immunity. Try this healthy Mediterranean Tuna Sandwich to ward off the flu in a delicious way.
Mushrooms
‘Shrooms are packed with beta glucans, which help the body fight infection. Warm up with a yummy bowl of Mushroom-Barley Soup, one of Bergman’s faves.
Bowl of Mushroom-Barley Soup –
Sweet Potatoes
Can’t get enough sweet potatoes this time of year? That’s a good thing: Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin A, which fights free radicals that could weaken your immune system. Try one of these 10 healthy sweet potato recipes.
Green Tea
Enjoy a hot cup of green tea, and you’ll reap the drink’s amazing antioxidant benefits. Find out more about the health perks of green tea.
Yogurt
Probiotics, found in yogurt and other naturally fermented foods, help your body maintain a healthy and strong immune system. Find the best yogurt for you.
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