Getting the flu is never fun. However, the key to beating the flu is to avoid getting it in the first place. But if you’ve managed to get the flu bug in you this season, not to worry, there are plenty of foods that can help you battle influenza and get it out of your system sooner than later. And you may be surprised to know that the foods you need to include in your diet during flu season all have one thing in common: their red color.

Who knew that colorful foods could make such a difference in your health? More and more health studies are showing that colorful fruits and veggies - red in particular - carry a bounty of benefits for your body that can effectively keep the flu at bay or banish it from your body if you’re already suffering from it.

What makes red foods so valuable to our health is that they provide the body with high levels of nutrients and vitamins we may otherwise be lacking, especially during winter. Red foods in particular contain a chockfull of antioxidants. Feeling a lack of energy because of the flu? Then you’ll want to turn to beets as a solution. Beets are ideal for building healthy blood cells and help to renew the blood by providing it with the appropriate levels of vitamins and minerals, namely iron. Additionally, beets are low in fat and make for a great soup to fight the flu. Try this recipe at home the next time you’re suffering from a bout of the flu:

Gather the following ingredients:

·    6 beets, peeled and chopped

·    3 tablespoons olive oil

·    1 can of heavy cream

·    3 cloves of chopped garlic

·    1 chopped onion

·    2 cups beef stock

·    Salt and pepper (to taste)

After warming your olive oil in a saucepan, add in your onion and garlic and cook over medium high heat until soft. Next, add in your beets and cook for an additional minute, followed by the beef stock and salt and pepper. Boil, cover and simmer about 20-30 minutes until the beets are tender. Take your soup off the heat and pour into a food processor and pulse until it is liquefied. Reheat in your saucepan and serve.

Eating red fruits can also help in getting rid of the flu early on. Be sure to pick up a few red grapefruits and add them to your flu fighting regimen. Red grapefruit, unlike white grapefruit, contains loads of lycopene and a large amount of antioxidants, namely vitamin C. Another red fruit that can boost your body’s vitamin C levels is strawberries. Not only do they taste good, but they are an easy way of supplying your body with antioxidants, which helps to strengthen and improve the way your immune system functions, which is essential in fighting the flu.

So the next time you’re feeling a bout of the flu coming on, be sure to make red your favorite color. Red fruits and vegetables are capable of battling the flu virus with their high levels of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. You can’t ask for better medicine than red foods!

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