Precisely What To Eat When You Have A Cold Or Flu

Is it “starve a fever and feed a cold”… or “starve a cold and feed a fever”? Turns out, it’s neither. So exactly what to eat when you have a cold or flu…

Chances are you’ll catch at least a sniffle this cold and flu season, but it’s not how much you eat, but rather what you eat that can help soothe your stuffy head and aches and pains. “The right nutrients can help your body fight off an illness,” says Pam Peeke, MD, Prevention editorial advisory board member and author of The Hunger Fix. So we came up with two simple eating plans—one for the cold, one for the flu—to help you shake the symptoms, fortify your immune system and speed up recovery.

Your Cold Eating Plan
“Certain cold symptoms, like mucous production, are the body’s inflammatory response to the pathogen,” says Sharon Palmer, RDN, a registered dietitian and author of Plant-Powered for Life. So as well as eating proven cold-busters, foods that dial down inflammation can make you feel better.

Breakfast: Mushroom omelet with salsa (2 eggs, ½ cup sliced mushrooms, side of salsa)
Eggs are rich in zinc, an immune system booster that can zap cold symptoms. Research shows that zinc taken within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms can shorten the duration of colds. Mushrooms, from button to shitake, are immune powerhouses. “Mushrooms increase the effectiveness of white blood cells, the front liners of our immune system,” adds Peeke. A side of spicy salsa can help break up congestion and flush out the sinuses…SEE MORE HERE