It happens every year and it can hit us in an instant. It is a dreaded feeling when you know you are up against a very busy week and wake up sick with a severely sore throat. You may feel weak, experience dizziness and feel like your whole room is twirling around you, and feel utterly confused because you feel sweaty hot and shivering cold at the same exact time. Although medicine can serve as a cover up for your flu-like symptoms, many people are so used to running to the medicine cabinet and enduring through the added side effects of some mediations that they fail to research about the best foods that fight the flu fast. Although the food for the flu listed below may not instantly cure any flu like symptoms you may have, they have been known to cut off 7 or more days of the flu virus that as infected your body.These foods for the flu work best when you first start to feel flu like symptoms or if you are trying to prevent yourself from catching a cold or influenza virus.
Garlic for the flu
Most famously known to keep vampires away, garlic, having many strong antibacterial properties, can act as a blood cleanse, ward off E Coli, salmonella, staphylococcus, and more. In case you are not a fan of how garlic tastes, they come in a supplemental capsule format that can be purchased at your local health food store. If you do enjoy garlic and you notice a cold or flu virus coming up on you, knock out a sore throat by sucking on a small clove of fresh garlic for 10-15 minutes, so you can extract its nutrients and antibacterial properties and deliver them to your sore throat via saliva. Other ways to take garlic include chopping up 3 to 5 fresh cloves and eating them with salads, soups, or other dishes. Be wary though, and add garlic to dishes within the last 10 minutes of cooking to let the nutrients stay in and do not microwave! Microwaving zaps the healthy benefits of garlic out quick. Also, garlic is good in moderation for humans, but toxic for pets like cats and dogs, and of course, vampires too.
Tomatoes for the flu
Go ahead, throw an arsenal of tomatoes at your flu virus! Tomatoes are absolutely awesome for fighting off any virus flu or cold virus that is taking a toll on your health. Tomatoes are high in vitamin C, which is great for your immune system. But what's even more powerful about tomatoes are their secret weapon in helping you feel better, Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that fights toxic free radicals in the body. Not only does lycopene cause the tomato to have such a vibrant red color, but there are studies that with an appropriate daily consumption, it greatly decreases the risks of cancer. But in the meantime, try using fresh organic tomatoes to make a healthy and delicious tomato soup to sip on during your illness. One of the best ways to take tomatoes when you have a cold or flu is in a warm liquid format for better absorption within the body. Mix your chopped or crushed tomatoes with tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and a bit of red or white wine with chopped garlic, some italian season, and a bit of salt to have a quick easy tomato soup!
Onions for the flu
There are many different varieties of onion, but regardless, onions are a great weapon to help fight the flu fast. Onions are most famous and used for their antiflammatory and sedative qualities, so onions can help your throat not feel so inflamed while it helps you relax and get some rest. Onions are also used in many detox recipes. Since onions tend to have a strong taste and can make some of the toughest men cry, to maximize and take advantage of the nutritional properties in onions, allow them to set for 10 minutes after you cut or chop them and like garlic, wait until the last 10 minutes of a stove top meal to add onions to the dish. This is considered healthy sauté-ing and can definitely increase the nutritional value of your flu day meal.
To wrap it all up
There are many other foods beyond this list that can help you fight the flu fast. When used in combination onion, garlic, and tomatoes can make delicious dishes while providing you with powerful anti oxidant nutrients to help kill your influenza virus. Drinking plenty of water and getting lots of rest are also needed to help these foods perform at their maximum for you. No one likes the flu, and these foods should definitely be in your "weapons against the flu" list.