***Select Superfoods for Fighting the Flu

For most people, catching the flu is an unpleasant experience that can afflict anyone. One day your feeling fine and the next your entire body aches, your head hurts and your entire day is like walking through a fog. As everyone knows these symptoms can last for several days while trying to recover.

The first to naturally boost your immunity and prepare your body’s defenses is to study the foods you’re eating. Review all of your meal and make the changes needed to ensure everyone is eating a well-balanced diet abundant in nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables, low-fat proteins, and complex carbohydrates.

Here are some excellent super foods to add to your diet to boost your immune system:

The first super food to add to your diet is the black currant. Black currants are even richer in vitamin C than oranges. Each serving delivers approximately three times the recommended daily intake for adults. Vitamin C is imperative since it helps prevent infections and helps keep the immune system healthy.

The second super food to as is pork. Pork contains high levels of zinc and selenium. Both of these compounds help keep your immune system strong. Por is also one of the best sources of B vitamins and contains only a little more total fat than beef. So be sure to include lots of pork entrees in your menu planning.

Switch out your morning glass of orange juice with grapefruit juice. Grapefruit is a sweet and tart vitamin C-rich drink. However, before you start mixing and adding grapefruit juice to your diet you should check with your doctor if you're on certain medications for blood pressure, AIDS, anxiety, or hay fever, since mixing grapefruit juice with certain drugs can lead to dangerous toxicity.

Brussel sprouts are another excellent source of vitamin C. Brussel Sprouts are high in fiber and contain lots of folate as well both of which are vital to body.

Enjoy a daily serving of Yogurt to have a positive effect on your GI tract. The live cultures in yogurt will help the body to purge the germs from the body more quickly and effectively and fight the flu. In addition, you may want your yogurt to contain the active culture L. acidophilus, which is also helpful in fighting off yeast infections.

Another food source for fighting the flu are potatoes. They are one of the most affordable sources of vitamin C and they nicely complement any entrée with their high levels of potassium and fiber. Similar to other vegetables and fruit in which the skin contains vital antioxidants, the skin of the potato delivers the most fiber and the flesh just under the skin contains the most vitamin C. Fresh potatoes are the best source of vitamin C. Be careful of how you choose to prepare them, as soaking them in water robs them of their germ-busting vitamin C.
Finally, enjoy whole wheat pasta. The reason is it is rich in niacin, fiber, and iron. The complex carbohydrates of whole wheat pasta are an essential part of a healthy diet that will keep your immune system strong. The best way to do this is to simply substitute recipes calling for traditional pasta with the whole wheat variety.
So the next time you feel the flu coming on or just want to add extra defenses to your body, add the foods mentioned in this article not only for a healthy diet but for a healthy lifestyle.