Cold and flu season is approaching and you need to be ready. If you haven’t been preparing your body for this season, you should get started now. Did you know that certain foods help to strengthen your immune system? Some common foods work to increase your cold and flu immunity. Eating these will make it harder for you to become sick. Here are seven foods to eat to increase your immune system:

1. Kiwi
Eating kiwi when you have symptoms of cold and flu will help you to get better. Kiwis also help to prevent you from becoming sick in the first place. Kiwis are rich in antioxidants. These little green fruits are sweet and packed with Vitamins C and E. This is why they work well to increase your immunity. Both Vitamins C and E work to protect your body from harmful pathogens. You can eat kiwis alone, combine them with other berries to make a fruit cup, or add them to your yogurt. It’s all up to you.

2. Eggs
Eggs are full of vitamins and minerals that contribute to a healthy immune system.
When you eat them they contribute to your overall health. They are packed with proteins which makes them great for building muscles and making you stronger. These breakfast favorites aren’t only good for making your muscles stronger. They also strengthen your immune system. The vitamins and minerals found in an egg are amazing boosters for your immune system. They contain vitamins B6 and B12 which directly impacts immune health. So, whether you choose to boil, fry, or scramble your egg, eating it will help you to stay healthy throughout the cold and flu season.

3. Strawberries
A lush ripe strawberry is excellent for fighting cold and flu symptoms because it is loaded with Vitamin C. When most people think about Vitamin C, oranges and other citrus fruits come to mind. However, strawberries have more Vitamin C than oranges according to scientists. A healthy serving of strawberries each day helps to prevent colds and flu and works to get rid of symptoms.

4. Dark chocolate
Eating dark-chocolate helps with stubborn cough and increases the body’s resistance against cold and flu. The key ingredient in this chocolate is cocoa. Cocoa contains phenolic compounds that help to strengthen your immune system. If you’re dealing with a stubborn cough, eat some dark-chocolate. Studies show that cocoa has theobromine that is great for suppressing coughing. It even works better than codeine. So, eating a few pieces will be sure to increase your immune health.

5. Whole grain bread
Whole grain has benzoxazinoids which is a substance that increases the immune system when eaten. Eating whole-grain bread is healthier than white bread. Whole grain has several health benefits including increasing immunity. Foods that are whole grain or whole wheat have a lot of antioxidants. These are Vitamins A, C, and E. These antioxidants are excellent immune-increasing nutrients. A slice of whole-grain bread a day will keep the flu symptoms away.

6. Citrus fruits
These are amazing immunity boosters because they have a vast amount of Vitamin C. Most people opt for an orange or grapefruit when they have cold and flu symptoms. This is because these fruits have Vitamin C that increases the creation of white blood cells which are needed to fight infections. So, consume plenty of citrus to reduce symptoms or prevent cold and flu altogether.

7. Ginger
Ginger is great for treating sore throat and inflammation because of its antibacterial properties. It is a common home remedy used for treating cold and flu symptoms. It can even be used as a preventive measure. And you don’t have to eat it raw, it is equally effective when turned and drunk in tea form.

Cold and flu season is almost here and you need to be ready. There are some common foods you can eat to increase your immunity and stay healthy throughout this season. Eating these will help to prevent and treat cold and flu symptoms.