Despite holding your breath for your entire lecture as sporadic sneezes burst out around you, it is almost inevitable that eventually you will inhale or ingest the dreaded flu that occurs in the first few weeks of term. After spending days in bed, surrounded by snotty tissues and empty mugs of Lemsip, you decide that it’s time to pull yourself together and try to make yourself feel a little better so that you can at least attempt a night out (and maybe attend some lectures if you’re feeling really brave!).
In order to aid your recovery and hopefully prevent further infection, doctors have long advocated certain foods, and here are just a few to get you through the rest of the semester…
Oranges, of course!
In fact, all citrus fruits are said to reduce the length of a cold if you are able to get them (and their vitamin C) on board as soon as you feel a cold starting to hit. Oranges are super tasty this time of year too, making them a solid food choice if you’re trying to be healthy and get some fruit in your diet! You can also find vitamin C in fruits such as grapefruits, which make a great breakfast, as well as lemon and limes which you could add to many a dish – maybe a hot curry if you’re feeling a bit bunged up?
More Tea Please!!
There’s not many who don’t enjoy a good cuppa at this time of year, and while it feels great on a sore throat, either black, green and white tea contain other benefits that could help manage a bout of winter flu. Tea contains antioxidants called catechin which according to recent studies, can fight flu symptoms as well as boost immunity. Time to flick on the kettle for another brew I think!
Grab some Greens!
There’s not a lot better than leafy greens such as kale and spinach for nutrient packed food to make you fighting fit! Easy to chop up and disguise in a variety of curry or pasta dishes if you’re not a fan of the taste, these kinds of veggies are bursting with vitamin C, calcium, beta-carotene, magnesium, vitamin B2, folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin A, which allow for a strong immune system to hopefully fight off those nasty colds.
Slice up some Sweet Potato!
One of my personal favourites as it can be baked, fried or even microwaved to a sweet orangey perfection and tastes perfect with nothing more than a blob of butter! This variable veggie is rich in vitamins A and E as well as beta-carotene which helps to maintain a healthy immune system! If you’re feeling adventurous (and not too full of cold!) you can scour the web for cake and muffin recipes to make the perfect sweet treat and pick-me-up out of your sweet potato!
Can’t combat colds without chocolate!
If you’re battling with freshers’ flu and are a fan of chocolate, then pop out to your local and stock up on the darkest stuff they’ve got. Dark chocolate (the darker the better) is full of polyphenols which are disease-fighting antioxidants as well as zinc which has its own flu-fighting powers on top! Unfortunately, medical professionals advise only a small amount per day of the stuff high in cocoa but low in sugar and fat, but if you’re feeling a little down about your stuffy nose and general achiness then a couple of days of over-indulgence aren’t going to ruin you.
Sources:
http://www.slurrpy.com/knowyourfood/ingredients-facts-and-benefits/citrus-fruits-pulp-affection/
http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/video/girl-drinking-tea-in-a-cup-stock-footage/478074154
https://www.insidetracker.com/blog/post/52436410576/13462425024#
http://www.dumplingsanddoughnuts.com/2015/03/29/sweet-potato-muffins-at-midnight/
https://makeameme.org/meme/yes-chocolate