Cold Fighting Foods To Ward Off Germs

We are no longer professing that winter is coming like John Snow - winter is definitely here. And it is a chilly one! With lots of germs flying about and colds left, right and centre, any opportunity to stay healthy is good. So, we have put together a list of our favourite cold fighting foods that are not only yummy, but they keep the germs at bay!

Top 10 Cold Fighting Foods

To prevent sickness this winter, you need to focus on one thing… immunity. Building up your immunity to germs will help you avoid coughs and colds and other nasty germs.

Here are the foods to put in your supermarket trolley each week…

1: Red Capsicums

Here is a fun fact for you, red capsicums contain double the vitamin C of any citrus fruit. Is your mind blown? As you know, vitamin C is vital for boosting your immune system. It helps build up the strength of your immune system so that it is able to stop the germs from taking hold in your body.

2: Fennel

Fennel is another food that is really high in vitamin C, so it increases your body’s resistance to infectious diseases. Fennel boosts the power of your white blood cells (those are the ones that destroy bacteria and viruses in your body). This reduces your chance of picking up a cold.

3: Yoghurt

Many yoghurts contain probiotics which help the body resist germs, and if any infectious germs do get in, probiotics help you recover faster. The probiotics in yoghurt are a healthy form of bacteria that aid in digestion. A large portion of your immunity resides in your gut, the best line of defense is keeping your gut healthy.

4: Green Tea

So many benefits have been discovered about this little drink, so it is fast becoming a bit of a super-serum! Not only does it aid in weightloss and anti-aging, but it is also full of antioxidants that keep your body functioning at full capacity.

5: Kumara

Who doesn’t love the excuse for a big plate full of roast veges? And what better excuse than good health. Kumara are rich in antioxidants and help to improve your cell function.

6: Garlic

No vampires here… and no colds either. Garlic is a well-known cold preventer. Not only does it add delicious flavour to your dishes, but it is full of calcium, potassium and sulfuric compounds that get rid of unwanted bacteria.

7: Turmeric

Another yummy flavour-adder, turmeric also adds lots of health benefits. It is an anti-inflammatory that fights infection by preventing the damage caused by free radicals.

8: Salmon

This oily fish is a bit of a super food for all the nutrients your body needs to remain healthy. Rich in protein for muscle development and repair, as well as omega-3 fatty acids for the activation of T-Cells. T-Cells are a subtype of white blood cells that play a central role in your body’s immunity. The more T-Cells you have, the less chance there is of you getting sick.

9: Oysters

Not sure how you will go on getting the kids to eat these, but at least Mum and Dad will be keen! Oysters are high in vitamin C, vitamin E, and a whole range of antioxidants that keep your body healthy.

10: Brussel Sprouts

Eeek, another one that the kids might try and avoid. I always find the stick blender is my friend for hiding offending veges in sauces and stews! Brussel Sprouts have a ton of nutrients, including large amounts of vitamin C. They also help to prevent damage to cells in your body.

So there you have it, the top 10 cold fighting foods to combat illness in these winter months. While the kids might turn their nose up at a few of them, there are plenty of great ones that they will love. And you can always hide the others in their dinner as us Mums love to do!