Diet and Nutrition

Fight Colds and Flu with a Balanced Diet:

Winter and the cold and flu season, you may be wondering if there are any foods you can eat that would help boost your immune system.

First line of defense would be eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. That alone will help.
Beyond that, some points to specific vitamins and minerals that give an extra boost to the immune system.

vitamin E offer a boost to older adults' ability to fight colds and flu. B vitamins in a wide variety of foods, including fish, starchy vegetables, non-citrus fruits, low-fat meat and dairy products, and fortified cereals. You can get vitamin E from vegetable oils, nuts, tomato sauce, red peppers and green leafy vegetables.

Finally, there's some evidence that getting plenty of exercise strengthens the immune system, too. And as always, be sure to wash your hands often. If you do get sick, stay home so you don't infect other people.